The U.S. General Services Administration and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency awarded blanket purchase agreements for Earth Observation Solutions under the government’s source for more efficient information technology acquisitions, known as GSA’s IT Schedule 70, the agency announced February 12.
The partnership between NGA and GSA is in support of the Commercial Initiative to Buy Operationally Responsive GEOINT, or CIBORG. The initiative leverages schedules and contractual instruments available via the GSA to allow commercial purchases by government organizations for geospatial earth observation data, products and services.
Using BPAs simplifies the acquisition ordering process and reduces purchasing costs by anticipating repetitive needs for supplies or services and setting up accounts with trusted suppliers.
“The earth observation industry has experienced accelerated growth and we’re very pleased to position our offerings to provide the latest in emerging technology and solutions while making it easier for our government customers to reach these companies,” said Bill Zielinski, GSA’s acting assistant commissioner for the Office of Information Technology.
GSA is working with partner agencies to provide a one-stop-shop to meet the needs of its government clients as new commercial technologies and solutions rapidly increase in the earth observation industry.
“The partnership between NGA and GSA in support of CIBORG has resulted in a solution that allows for flexibility when purchasing GEOINT data, products and services against dynamic requirements,” said David Gauthier, NGA’s director for Source Commercial and Business Operations.
Through the BPAs, GSA is addressing the government’s growing need for these complex services, which bring together multiple technologies including satellite imagery and communication, distribution and content management, change detection, advanced analytics and data products.
The BPAs are under Special Item Number (SIN) 132-41 on IT Schedule 70.
The companies selected will provide earth-observation products, services and tools to agencies across the government.
The benefits of this BPA include cost efficiencies in management of data, more efficient recurring purchasing provisions, fast ordering processes, easy access to products and services and the latest commercial offerings, and flexibility in contract durations and in addressing dynamic mission needs.
Source: NGA
By Loren Blinde
February 25, 2019
