GSA releases RFI for geospatial Line of Business

The General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget are seeking industry input for ways to create across-the-board geospatial data and capabilities as the government starts work on establishing the Geospatial Line of Business.

In a recent notice GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy, in conjunction with OMB, said it is looking for information to help the government further refine the opportunities to consolidate geospatial investments.

Responses are due May 5; the government will hold an industry day on the subject April 18 in Washington.

GSA and OMB also released a request for information for its IT Infrastructure LOB as well.

OMB unveiled the Geospatial LOB?along with LOBs for IT infrastructure and budget formulation?when it released the administration's budget proposal earlier this year.

Under the geospatial LOB, the government will look to identify opportunities to consolidate investments; analyze cost benefits, alternatives and risks; and define roles, responsibilities, performance measures and milestones.

"Developing the geospatial LOB will result in a more coordinated approach to producing, maintaining and using geospatial data, and will ensure sustainable participation from federal partners to establish a collaborative model for geospatial activities and investments," the RFI said.

The RFI noted that some potential respondents may only be able to provide information for some geospatial activities and said that even limited, "best of breed information can still be of high quality and significant value."

Questions respondents should answer include: In which data themes of national importance is there opportunity for increased effectiveness, efficiency and cost savings; what are the critical change management issues and best practices for successful transition to and full implementation of common solutions; what cultural impediments and training issues need to be addressed; and, what are the top three factors for coordinating the use of geographic information.

The RFI is not a solicitation and the government will not pay for responses, GSA and OMB said.

Interested stakeholders can sign up here until April 14 to attend the April 18 industry day.