Ivan B DeLoatch 11/02/2009 07:59 AM To cwg-agencyreps@fgdc.gov cc bcc Subject Fw: FGDC Comments on Data.gov Concept of Operations and White Paper on the Place-based Initiative History: This message has been forwarded. The attachments were provided from requests by OMB. Thanks Ivan B. DeLoatch, Executive Director Federal Geographic Data Committee Office of Geography U.S. Geological Survey U.S.Department of the Interior 703-648-5752 ----- Forwarded by Ivan B DeLoatch/GEOG/USGS/DOI on 11/02/2009 07:54 AM ----- From: Ivan B DeLoatch/GEOG/USGS/DOI To: "Paul, Kshemendra N." Cc: Sanjeev_Bhagowalia@ios.doi.gov, travers.linda@epa.gov, "Howell, Michael" , "Walker, Adrienne L." , excom@fgdc.gov Date: 10/30/2009 05:23 PM Subject: FGDC Comments on Data.gov Concept of Operations October 30, 2009 TO: Kshemendra N. Paul, Federal Enterprise Architect OMB Office of E-Government and Information Technology FROM: Ivan B. DeLoatch, Executive Director Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) SUBJECT: Data.gov Concept of Operations On behalf of the Executive Committee of the FGDC, attached is a white paper that outlines actions and comments resulting from of our review of the Data.gov Concept of Operations (ConOps) document. The FGDC recognizes the value and importance of Data.gov to the Administration, to the government, and to the American people. Data.gov is a ground-breaking approach to establishing a core capability that provides and facilitates transparent, participatory, and collaborative utilization of publically funded and federally managed data and information. As such, we also believe that Data.gov presents a unique opportunity to consolidate oversight and management of all United States Government data, including geospatial data, under a unified national approach. Data.gov will be become a foundational asset and platform for achieving key Administrative initiatives, such as the implementation of the Executive Office of the President Memorandum on “Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget.” The FGDC believes that these activities can be more effectively achieved by integrating established geospatial data and capabilities into Data.gov and by incorporating some of the unique characteristics of geospatial data within the Data.gov ConOps. These initial actions and suggestions are identified in the attached whitepaper. The FGDC is committed to being an active resource for the Data.gov team and is poised to apply its expertise to expand the breadth and depth of Data.gov’s value and impact. Since 2002, FGDC partner agencies have developed the framework, standards, and advanced search capabilities for Geospatial One Stop (GOS), the national geospatial data clearinghouse and application. Built on industry standards for metadata cataloging, search, and discovery, and interactively honing its capabilities to meet the needs of its community, GOS includes geospatial records from both Federal and nonfederal sources. We recognize that not all Federal geospatial data records are currently registered with GOS and that not all GOS records meet the current metadata requirements of Data.gov. This is due to a number of long-standing issues within the geospatial community that the FGDC believes can be addressed in cooperation with the Data.gov leadership in order to expand the number of sources and records available to Data.gov. These issues include geospatial metadata requirements, the definition of authoritative data sources, visualization capabilities, and ensuring that both spatial and non-spatial data’s metadata identify the content that will enable integrated use of these data. The FGDC would like to discuss strategies to address these issues with the Data.gov Senior Advisory Group, and proposes the following actions to advance the next iteration of Data.gov: 1. Plan and execute the consolidation of the GOS and Data.gov program management and oversight. 2. Adding 100,000 records through GOS to Data.gov by May 1, 2010 (6 months) 3. Increasing that number to 200,000 by November 1, 2010 (1 year) 4. Conduct a meeting of the Data.gov Senior Advisory Board that will focus on the resolution of issues concerning metadata, authoritative sources, accuracy and services (i.e. – Web Map Services, Web Features Services, Imagery Services) among others. In addition, the FGDC can quickly gather input from our partner and stakeholder communities on geospatial technology and data integration strategies to support Data.gov through the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Data.gov ConOps. The federal geospatial community looks forward to working with you to help the Administration accomplish our goals in serving our citizens. cc: FGDC Executive Committee Ivan B. DeLoatch, Executive Director Federal Geographic Data Committee Office of Geography U.S. Geological Survey U.S.Department of the Interior 703-648-5752