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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

15.809:  National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program

Popular Name: 

Objectives:  To help the Federal Geographic Data Committee form partnerships with the nonfederal sector that will further the development and implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). NSDI means the technology, policies, standards, and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data. Partnership activities must be directed towards the creation of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse for finding and accessing geospatial data; the development and promulgation of the use of standards in data collection, documentation, transfer, and search and query; and/or the development and implementation of educational outreach programs to increase awareness and understanding of the major NSDI initiatives.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

15.809 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Proposals from Federal, State and local government agencies, educational institutions, private firms, private foundations, nonprofit organizations and Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups are invited. Proposals must demonstrate that more than one organization or agency is involved in the project.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Agencies and organizations participating in the project, as well as the general public will ultimately benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation:  Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed project. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments; OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions; OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations: and Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 31.2 for private firms, and other nonprofits excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-122.

15.809 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Limited discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are permitted. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Application form SF 424, 424-A, 424-B, and Department of the Interior Certifications and Representations must be used. Links to USGS program announcements are available through the internet site www.usgs.gov/contracts/.

Award Procedure:  Notification of an award is by a cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.

Deadlines:  April 15, 2000 (FY 2000 proposals).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  From 4 to 6 months.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Proposals will be evaluated through formal review panels. Proposals will be evaluated on the quality and relevance of the project to the NSDI; the technical approach taken to implement the project; the level and diversity of participation and the applicant's experience and competence to perform the proposed effort successfully; and, the extent to which the applicant shows evidence of a capability and willingness to continue and build upon the project when the agreement period ends.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Project to create a National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse node on the Internet to access and deliver GIS data to public and private sectors, including all State agencies, Counties, and Municipalities; project to extend the use of geographic information systems and NSDI tenets to citizens and organizations across the state through the in-depth training of academic and public librarians and the development of online training materials; project to develop software tools or techniques to aid the collection, comparison, evaluation, and maintenance of metadata; project to stimulate the development of applicable geospatial data standards in partnership with the Federal Geographic Data Committee. See the FGDC website (www.fgdc.gov) for summaries of funded projects.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $10,000 to $70,000.

15.809 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

15.809 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, 95 cooperative agreements were awarded to support the NSDI. The number of agreements for fiscal 2000 is expected to be 60. The estimated number of agreements for fiscal 2001 is expected be 95.

15.809 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

Obligations:  (Cooperative Agreements) FY 99 $1,830,000; FY 00 est $1,000,000; FY 01 est $1,500,000.

Budget Account Number:  14-0804-0-1-300.

Authorization:  Organic Act of March 3, 1879, 43 U.S.C. 31; Executive Order 12906, April 13, 1994.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Federal Register Vol. 60, No. 242, December 18, 1995, page 65064; Commerce Business Daily announcement January 25, 1996, Section T, program announcement no. 8187; internet URL www.fgdc.gov.

15.809 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 590, Reston, VA 20192. Phone: (703) 648-5514, fax to (703) 648-5755, or e-mail gdc@usgs.gov; Internet URL www.fgdc.gov.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

15.809 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  There is no statutory formula, however, the recipients are expected to cost-share depending upon the category of project up to 100 percent of the amount of funding received from the Federal government.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in 12 month budget periods.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Applications must be for projects directed towards the creation of geospatial data metadata for finding and accessing geospatial data and training for metadata creation; the development of ISO metadata conversion software and ISO training; creation of collaborative maintenance and utilization of basic (framework) data; and the development of web mapping testbed interface technology for the display of multi-organizational data. Cost-sharing ranging up to 100 percent of the amount of funding received from the Federal government shall be required.

15.809 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Semi-annual and final technical report, formal oral presentation, and second and third year follow-up reports.

Audits:  Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. For profit organizations, principles for determining the allowableness of cost will be in accordance with the FAR, subchapter E, part 31.2. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:  All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.