NEWS
An award has been made for RFP-758-1200000087, Digital Orthoimagery and LiDAR. The contract was awarded on December 22, 2011 to GMR Aerial Surveys, Inc dba Photo Science. For additional information, please visit the Commonwealth's eprocurement website @: http://eprocurement.ky.gov
Inquiries regarding the Commonwealth's Aerial Photography & Elevation Data Program can be directed to Tom Rossman:
Tom Rossman, Director
Commonwealth Office of Technology
Office of Application Development
Division of Geographic Information
100 Fair Oaks Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-6412
Overview
This initiative will continue the effort to build and maintain a current basemap for the Commonwealth that can meet the needs of its users at the state, federal, local, and regional level. A common basemap, including current color leaf-off aerial photography and elevation data (LiDAR), reduces the cost of developing GIS applications, promotes data sharing, and add efficiencies to many state agency business processes. It is planned that access to the basemap data will be made available in the public domain.
Background
The most current digital leaf-off aerial photography of the Commonwealth was acquired in 2001 and 2002 but only east of 84 degrees longitude (ie. East of Winchester – only ¼ of the state). The photography was captured in a black and white (grayscale) format. Aerial Photography for the remaining ¾ of the state was acquired during the 1992-1998 timeframe. State and Federal Funds were leveraged at that time for the purchase of the photography.
No statewide color leaf-off aerial photography has ever been acquired for the entire Commonwealth, although leaf-on photography (fewer uses) has been purchased. All of Kentucky’s current aerial photography holdings are utilized by cities and counties, area development districts, state agencies, and the federal government.
Kentucky's Statewide Digital Aerial Photography and Elevation Basemap Update provide a common digital mapping base for state and local government, as well as the private sector. The digital aerial photography layer provides the foundation for other base layers as well as numerous thematic mapping programs throughout the state and local governments.
The multi-million dollar project is expected to span a three-year period (be spread across two biennium) beginning in 2011. Potential funding partners for this effort include federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of the Interior (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the USDA Farm Services Administration (FSA), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as well as local governments and several state agencies.
This project will provide significant savings to government and the private sector in using a common basemap, avoiding duplication, and encourage standardization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) assets throughout the Commonwealth.
Committees
A Technical Subcommittee has been created to review the technical requirements set forth by FEMA and USGS regarding orthophotograhy and LiDAR and to develop technical specifications, an RFI, RFP, and a business plan. Please contact us if you are interesting in participaring.
Partnership Listing
Below is a listing of agencies that have expressed interest in participating in this partnership:
Kentucky Division of Geographic Information
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Kentucky Infrastructure Authority
Kentucky Division of Forestry
Kentucky Division of Conservation
Kentucky State Parks
Kentucky Abandoned Mine Lands
Kentucky Geological Survey
Kentucky Division of Water
Kentucky Department of Mining Permits
Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet
Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission
Link-GIS/NKAPC
Louisville-Jefferson County Information Consortium
Boone County Planning Commission
United States Geological Survey
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
NOAA - National Geodetic Survey