-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Fwd: U.S. Geological Survey Issues a Request for Information]
Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 16:47:27 -0400
From: Russell Guy <[log in to unmask]>
------------------
Hi David;
It is clear to me, based on my discussions with USGS staff both on and off
the record, that the USGS are headed towards a purely digital product line
as fast as they can get there. In one discussion at the IMTA in Santa
Barbara emphasis was put on partnerships with commercial publishers so that
the commercial publisher would be printing the hard copy maps - example
being National Geographic Maps (Trails Illustrated). The question was
asked about those areas outside of National Parks and the politically
correct answer boiled down to that there wouldn't be hard-copy maps, only
print-on-demand products for those areas. Which is great for those with
access to a large-scale plotter, but not so nice for those without such
access.
On the other hand something like 60% of the 1:24,000 topos sell less than
25 copies per year (I don't have the numbers any more so this is from
memory). Perhaps the public is better served by not printing those maps
and putting that money into other products?
Denmark's Kort-og Matrikelstyrelsen (gov't map survey) is moving to
digital-only products. They have contracted out hard-copy production of
much of their product such as road atlases and road maps to various
commercial companies and discontinued selling these products
themselves. Sadly, not all of the contracted products went to a single
producer so there are now multiple sources required where there was one
source previously.
Progress marches on.
Cheers
Russell
At 04:24 PM 5/25/2004, you wrote:
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: Fwd: U.S. Geological Survey Issues a Request for Information
>Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 15:14:25 -0400
>From: David Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>u
>
>------------------
>
>Colleagues -
>
>An interesting development that may bear watching?
>
>David Cobb
>
>
>
>>The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) distribution
>>facility in Lakewood, Colorado currently disseminates USGS and other
>>Federal agency scientific information products (maps, books, reports, and
>>other publications). These products are disseminated in hardcopy, CD-ROM,
>>DVD, and print-on-demand formats through our network of authorized USGS
>>Business Partners as well as through walk-up and mail delivery mechanisms.
>>We would like to take this opportunity to notify you of our intent to issue
>>a Request for Information (RFI) for feedback concerning meeting and
>>improving delivery of our information to the public. This request for
>>information is to engage the public and private sector in providing
>>innovative ideas for the way our information is disseminated.
>>
>>We are interested in identifying organizations capable of warehousing and
>>delivering USGS and other Federal agency information products and managing
>>an inventory currently consisting of more than 89,000 titles?or
>>approximately 30 million units. The USGS is also interested in determining
>>if there is public or private sector interest in the hardcopy distribution
>>function as the USGS migrates to an emphasis on an electronic warehouse
>>distribution system.
>>
>>To better understand the wide range of innovative solutions and
>>opportunities that are available, the USGS will be issuing this RFI. The
>>request will be available on FedBizOpps.gov, by April 30, 2004. This is
>>the single point-of-entry for Federal government procurement, and
>>Government buyers are able to publicize their business opportunities by
>>posting directly to FedBizOpps via the Internet. Commercial vendors
>>seeking Federal markets for their products and services can search, monitor
>>and retrieve solicitations by the entire Federal contracting community at
>>the following website: http://www.fedbizopps.gov
>>
>>
>>Ronald Lofton
>>Assistant Branch Chief, Information Services
>>U. S. Geological Survey
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>***************************************************************************
>David A. Cobb Tel. 617.495.2417
>Harvard Map Collection FAX 617.496.0440
>Harvard College Library Email: [log in to unmask]
>Cambridge, MA 02138 HTTP://hcl.harvard.edu/maps
>************************** VERITAS ****************************************
*******************************************************************************
Russell Guy [log in to unmask]
Vice President http://www.omnimap.com/maps.htm
Omni Resources Tel.: 800-742-2677 (USA only)
International Map Specialists Tel.: 336-227-8300 (International)
P.O. Box 2096 Fax: 336-227-3748
1004 South Mebane St.
Burlington, NC 27216-2096 USA
Past President (1996), International Map Trade Association
Founding Member, Independent Travel Stores Association
****************************************************************************
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