Opportunity Information: Apply for G14AS00126
Apply for G14AS00126
- The Geological Survey in the environment natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "3D Elevation Program (3DEP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.817 National Geospatial Program Building The National Map.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 12, 2015 and posted on Jul 21, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2015 The BAA will remain open and proposals received will be considered for review until September 30, 2015 or until such time as the BAA is cancelled through an amendment or another BAA is issued additional selections will be made depending on availability of funding and evaluation of proposals consistent with the evaluation criteria provided herein.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Individuals For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initiative designed to improve the quality and consistency of elevation and topographic data across the United States. Its purpose is to meet widespread public and private needs for modern, accurate 3D representations of both natural landscapes and built features. In practical terms, 3DEP focuses on producing nationally consistent elevation datasets that support mapping, planning, engineering, resource management, and scientific analysis.
The program's main technical goal is to systematically collect enhanced, high-resolution elevation data using lidar (light detection and ranging) for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, and to collect ifsar (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) elevation data for Alaska, where radar-based methods are often more practical due to weather and terrain constraints. The target standard referenced is Quality Level 2 (QL2), reflecting a level of detail and accuracy identified as especially valuable for broad national use. This approach is grounded in the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA), which concluded that an 8-year acquisition cycle for QL2 data would produce the best benefit-to-cost outcome for USGS and partners while achieving nationwide coverage in a reasonable timeframe.
From an implementation standpoint, 3DEP is structured as a partnership-driven acquisition program rather than a single-agency purchase. The model relies on multi-agency and multi-organization funding collaborations, with USGS serving as the lead program manager to coordinate planning and data acquisition for the larger user community. USGS supports this by organizing acquisitions through government contracting mechanisms and partnership agreements, helping align requirements, reduce duplication, and achieve economies of scale so that multiple stakeholders can benefit from the same data collection effort.
The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number G14AS00126, titled "3D Elevation Program (3DEP)," and categorized as a discretionary opportunity. It allowed multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other arrangements, reflecting flexibility in how USGS could work with partners depending on project needs. The activity areas were broadly defined to include environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development, and it was associated with CFDA number 15.817 (National Geospatial Program - Building The National Map). No cost sharing or matching was required under the listing provided.
Eligibility was expansive, covering many types of applicants that might participate in elevation data projects or benefit from them. Eligible applicants included federal recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations, state governments, county and local governments (including cities, townships, and special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, and even individuals. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that elevation data supports diverse uses, from flood risk mapping and infrastructure planning to habitat management, wildfire modeling, transportation design, and geologic and hydrologic research.
In terms of timing, the announcement indicates the BAA remained open for proposal submissions and review through September 30, 2015, unless canceled or replaced by amendment or a new BAA. It also notes that additional selections could be made depending on funding availability and proposal quality, using the evaluation criteria in the full announcement. The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, which typically signals that awards depended on funds available through partnerships or that the public synopsis did not specify set amounts in advance, rather than indicating that no funding could occur at all.
For additional details and full solicitation materials, the announcement points applicants to Grants.gov and provides a USGS contact for access issues: Victoria Floyd, Contract Specialist, 703-648-7341, vfloyd@usgs.gov.
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Grant Opportunity FAQs
1) What is the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)?
The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initiative to improve the quality and consistency of elevation and topographic data across the United States. The program is aimed at producing modern, accurate 3D representations of natural landscapes and built features for broad public and private use.
2) What is the main purpose of 3DEP?
3DEP exists to deliver nationally consistent elevation datasets that support mapping, planning, engineering, resource management, and scientific analysis. The stated intent is to meet widespread needs for accurate, modern elevation information.
3) What types of data does 3DEP collect?
3DEP focuses on collecting enhanced, high-resolution elevation data. For the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, the program emphasizes lidar (light detection and ranging). For Alaska, the program emphasizes ifsar (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) elevation data.
4) Why does 3DEP use lidar in most places but ifsar in Alaska?
Based on the opportunity description, lidar is the primary method for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, while ifsar is used for Alaska because radar-based methods are often more practical there due to weather and terrain constraints.
5) What quality standard is 3DEP aiming for?
The program references a target standard of Quality Level 2 (QL2), described as a level of detail and accuracy identified as especially valuable for broad national use.
6) What is the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA) and how does it relate to 3DEP?
The opportunity notes that 3DEP is grounded in the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA). NEEA concluded that an 8-year acquisition cycle for QL2 data would produce the best benefit-to-cost outcome for USGS and partners while achieving nationwide coverage in a reasonable timeframe.
7) Is 3DEP a single-agency data purchase program?
No. The opportunity describes 3DEP as a partnership-driven acquisition program rather than a single-agency purchase. It is designed to combine funding and needs across multiple agencies and organizations.
8) What role does USGS play in 3DEP partnerships?
USGS acts as the lead program manager, coordinating planning and data acquisition for the larger user community. USGS also supports acquisitions through government contracting mechanisms and partnership agreements to align requirements, reduce duplication, and achieve economies of scale.
9) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this listing?
The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number G14AS00126 and is titled "3D Elevation Program (3DEP)."
10) What kind of funding opportunity is this?
It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity, according to the listing.
11) What funding instruments are allowed under this opportunity?
The listing indicates multiple possible funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other arrangements. This suggests USGS could work with partners using different mechanisms depending on the project needs.
12) What activity areas does this opportunity cover?
The activity areas are described broadly and include environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development.
13) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.817, described as "National Geospatial Program - Building The National Map."
14) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The listing provided states that no cost sharing or matching was required.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations; state governments; county and local governments (including cities, townships, and special districts); public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities); small businesses; other for-profit organizations; and individuals.
16) Why is eligibility so broad?
The description links broad eligibility to the wide range of uses for elevation data. Examples mentioned include flood risk mapping, infrastructure planning, habitat management, wildfire modeling, transportation design, and geologic and hydrologic research.
17) How long was the announcement open for proposal submissions?
The announcement indicates the BAA remained open for proposal submissions and review through September 30, 2015, unless canceled or replaced by an amendment or a new BAA.
18) Could additional selections be made after initial awards?
Yes. The listing notes that additional selections could be made depending on funding availability and proposal quality, using the evaluation criteria in the full announcement.
19) The funding amounts show zeros. Does that mean there was no funding?
The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0. The description explains that this typically signals that awards depended on funds available through partnerships or that the public synopsis did not specify set amounts in advance, rather than indicating that no funding could occur at all.
20) Where can applicants find the full solicitation and instructions?
The announcement directs applicants to Grants.gov for additional details and full solicitation materials.
21) Who should be contacted for access issues related to the solicitation materials?
The listing provides a USGS contact for access issues: Victoria Floyd, Contract Specialist, 703-648-7341, vfloyd@usgs.gov.
22) What geographic areas are specifically mentioned in the 3DEP data acquisition approach?
The approach described includes lidar acquisition for the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, and ifsar acquisition for Alaska.
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