Guidelines for Procurement of Professional Aerial Imagery, Photogrammetry, Lidar and Related Remote Sensor Based Geospatial Mapping Services Developed by In Consultation With:
Jan 03, 2016
Guidelines for Procurement of Professional Aerial Imagery,
Photogrammetry, Lidar and Related Remote Sensor Based Geospatial
Mapping Services
Developed by
In Consultation With:
Background
• Existing document, “Guidelines for Procurement of Photogrammetric Services from Private Professional Sources” adopted in 1986, published in 1987
• May 2006: ASPRS Board votes to update existing Guidelines
• Professional Practices Division (PPD) tasked with leading ad hoc work group
• October, 2006: Ad hoc committee formed to includefederal/state government, MAPPS and ACSM
Procurement Guidelines Committee• ASPRS Committee Members
• Chair (Asst. PPD Director): Doug Smith, David C. Smith & Associates, Inc.
• Co-chair (PPD Director): Dan Paulsen, Wilson & Company
• Federal government: George Lee, USGS
• State government: John Tull, Washington Dept. of Transportation
• MAPPS Representatives• Marvin Miller, Aerometrics
• Mike Ritchie, Photo Science, Inc.
• ACSM Representatives
• John Matonich, ROWE Engineering, Inc.
• Curt Sumner, ACSM Executive Director
Charter
Deliver an updated, revised document which:
• Includes updated technological references;
• Maintains consistency with references to “professional services” included in recent modifications to the NCEES Model Law and Model Rules;
• Addresses professional services vs. products;
• Includes guidance for organizations procuring mapping services to assist in determining when qualifications-based selection processes should be used
Work to Date
• Numerous meetings
• Initially focused on defining characteristics of “professional service” related to photogrammetry/remote sensing
• Submitted initial draft summary at ASPRS Tampa conference
• Introduced draft to Excom, Board and at “Hot Topic” session
• Feedback from conference received through early summer
• Re-initiated meetings in Fall ’07 to incorporate feedback and resolve key issues
DRAFT
Current Status• Revised Executive Summary to address key issues:
• Better address NCEES distinction between survey/not survey
• Include supporting matrices with a specific list of “professional” vs. “technical” services
• Address Best Value and other procurement methods that include qualifications as a primary selection criteria
• Seeking Feedback from this session
• Has not been reviewed by ASPRS Board
DRAFT
Current Status
Schedule• Submit full draft at ASPRS Spring Conference in Portland
• Board/Excom review
• Similar Panel Discussion in Portland
• Incorporate feedback and submit final draft for Board approval
• Send out accepted/approved document for review by broader geospatial mapping community
• Target: Final submitted for Board approval at ASPRS Fall conference
• Publish in PE&RS and distribute to educate agencies and procurement personnel
Licensure/NCEES Considerations
• Initially considered issues related to Licensure
• State licensing laws vary too widely to serve as a guide
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Model Law and Model Rules
• National Multi-Organizational Task Force (MAPPS, ACSM, ASPRS, NSPS, URISA, others)
• “Authoritative Location” – Final word and basis on which all other determinations are made
Professional Services• Determined “Professional Services” for procurement purposes is
much broader in scope than for Licensed Services
• Licensing:
• Minimum level of competence
• Serious harm / Public health, safety and welfare
• Procurement Guidelines:
• Recommendations / guidelines, not law or policy
• Need to consider broader scope of public interest, not just serious harm
• Goal is to provide guidance to help organizations best meet project needs
Professional Services
• “Professional Services” require:
• Specialized knowledge/skill
• Independent judgment
• Expectation of overall ethical conduct and quality of performance to protect public or recipient’s best interests
Professional Services
• Includes all photogrammetry or remote sensing services that:
• Interpret, process or analyze remotely sensed imagery to determine geospatial positions or produce maps; and
• Have an expectation of accuracy that could influence decisions that affect public welfare/interests
• Focused primarily on measurement science, though recognize professional nature of other analytical remote sensing work
• “Professional services” does not include technical services or product sales
Matrix Attachments• Matrix attachments compare Professional Services, Technical
Services and Products
• Distinguishes between NCEES surveying/not surveying to address concerns and feedback from Spring conference
• Vast majority of photogrammetry/remote sensing geospatial mapping services are listed as “professional services”
• IMU/GPS and geo-referenced aerial photography/imagery
• Orthophotography
• LiDAR, IFSAR
• Feature extraction
• Digitizing or cadastral mapping if interpretation is required
Matrix Attachments• Standardized / automated processes still considered professional
• Ultimately a professional is responsible for the reliability of the information
• Technical Services include:
• Conventional or resource photography that is not geo-referenced
• Image mosaics for display only purposes
• Direct digitizing / no interpretation
• Products include “off the shelf” and other products where provider offers a set of standard features and sets specifications
• Definition of Product is from MAPPS Product vs. Services Matrix
Matrix Attachments
• Example: Orthophotography
• Rectification/processing imagery for representation as an orthophoto is a professional service
• Imagery rectified to existing USGS DEM, solely for referential/GIS overlay purposes and accompanied by an appropriate disclaimer is not surveying by NCEES definition
• Orthophotography produced to meet a specific stated or implied accuracy is surveying by NCEES definition
Matrix Attachments• Example: Feature Extraction
• Always a professional service
• Features digitized or extracted to meet a specific accuracy statement are surveying by NCEES definition
• Inventory maps, GIS centerlines, resource management boundaries and similar features when used solely for referential purposes are not surveying by NCEES definition
• Example: LiDAR, Radar and Terrain Modeling
• Always professional service
• Surveying if represented to meet a specific accuracy
• May be exceptions, but could not identify any reasonable examples where a stated / authoritative accuracy would not be required
QBS Procurement
Current revised Executive Summary:
• Qualifications, not cost, should always be the primary factor
• Recommends Brooks Act as best procurement model
• Recognizes Brooks Act is not always required by law; local jurisdictions and others will use other methods
• Recommends Brooks Act as only appropriate method for services that meet definition of surveying
• Provides minimum guidelines for qualifications as primary selection criteria if best value or other processes are to be used
Other Recommendations
• Research and comply with State licensing laws
• Research and comply with State mini-Brooks Act laws
• Consider NCEES Model Law/Model Rules as best definitive guideline for determining surveying vs. not surveying
• Apply general principals outlined for all future technologies
• Apply principals outlined to all mapping procurement, including “incidental” or subcontracted services
We Want Your FeedbackSUMMARY
• Broad definition of professional services not limited to licensed services. Includes vast majority of geospatial mapping services.
• Professional Services vs. Technical Services vs. Products(Matrix attachments)
• Brooks Act is only appropriate method for NCEES “surveying”
• Brooks Act is endorsed for all professional services
• Low bid is never appropriate; minimum guidelines needed to ensure qualifications is primary if other process is used
• Guidelines/QBS also apply to subcontracts