On September 9, 2019, the USGS issued the FY19/FY20 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The BAA provides detailed information on how to partner with the USGS and other Federal agencies to acquire high-quality 3D Elevation data. Information and contacts are now available at Fed Biz Opps (Reference Number: 140G0119R0029) and Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: G19AS00124).

Offerors may contribute funds toward a USGS lidar data acquisition activity via the Geospatial Products and Services Contracts or they may request 3DEP funds toward a lidar data acquisition activity where the requesting partner is the acquiring authority. Federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, academic institutions and the private sector are eligible to submit proposals.  Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET, November 8, 2019.

A national public webinar designed to provide instructions on preparing BAA submissions was conducted on August 7, 2019. The webinar Presentation, a set of FAQs and other BAA Reference Materials are available for viewing and download. Questions on the BAA can be submitted to gs_baa@usgs.gov for resolution.

About the BAA and 3DEP

The BAA is a public process to develop partnerships for the collection of lidar and derived elevation data for 3DEP.

To respond to growing needs for high-quality elevation data, the goal of 3DEP is to complete acquisition of nationwide lidar (IfSAR in Alaska) by 2023 to provide the first-ever national baseline of consistent high-resolution elevation data – both bare earth and 3D point clouds – collected in a timeframe of less than a decade. 3DEP is designed to provide more than $690 million annually in benefits to government entities, the private sector and citizens. The program  presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between all levels of government to leverage the services and expertise of private sector mapping firms that acquire the data, and to create jobs now and in the future. 

USGS elevation data is available for download through The National Map. 3DEP represents the USGS’s latest iteration of national elevation coverage.  Since 2015, more than 250 federal, state, local and non-government partners have collaborated to support over 2 million square miles of 3DEP acquisition across the nation; 3DEP data is now available or in-work for nearly 67% of the nation. The 3DEP BAA provides an opportunity for continued collaboration across the nation so that all governments, the private sector and citizens may have access to and derive the benefits of 3D elevation data.

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