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Partnership funding programs for the National Spatial Data Infrastrucutre
(NSDI) for Fiscal Year 1998 are open and applications are available
online
 
WHEN ARE THEY OPEN: Open period for applications for the FY 1998
programs is NOW:
        =A5 the NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program -- closes February 27, 1998,
        =A5 the NSDI Benefits Program =D1 closes February 27, 1998
        =A5 the NSDI Framework Demonstration Projects Program -- closes March 13,
1998.
 
WHAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE ABOUT:
 
The Cooperative Agreements Program funds projects focused on promoting
metadata collection and creating clearinghouses of geographic data
linked to the Internet, developing NSDI standards, advancing the NSDI
through education, and organizing and strengthening state-wide or
regional programs for geographic data sharing.
 
The Benefits Program funds projects that assess the qualitative or
quantitative benefits of using a shared data resource to solve
particular problems over a given geographic area.
 
The Framework Demonstration Projects Program funds projects that
demonstrate technical, operational and business capabilities to
collaboratively create and maintain certain categories of commonly
needed =D4Framework=D5 data.
 
Proposals must involve partnering between two or more organizations.
Applications may be submitted by Federal agencies, State and local
government agencies, educational institutions, private firms, private
foundations, and Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native
American tribes or groups.  Applications from Federal agencies will not
be competed against applications from other sources.  Participants are
expected to cost share in the project.
 
WHOM TO CONTACT =26 HOW TO GET APPLICATION MATERIALS: Copies of each
Program Announcement are available through the Web at
http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/index.html
 
Also, paper copies of Program Announcement =231434-HQ-98-PA-00044 for the
NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program, Program Announcement
=231434-HQ-98-PA-00046 for the NSDI Benefits Program, and Program
Announcement =231434-HQ-98-PA-00045 for the NSDI Framework Demonstration
Projects Program may be obtained by writing to Ms. Karen Staubs, U.S.
Geological Survey, Office of Acquisition and Federal Assistance, Mail
Stop 205B, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192, (703) 648
7372, fax (703) 648-7901.  Requests for hard copies must be in writing=3B
verbal requests will not be honored.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the NSDI Cooperative Agreements
Program contact Ms. Kathleen Craig, USGS Office of Acquisition and
Federal Assistance, (703) 648-7357, fax (703) 648-7901.
 
For the NSDI Benefits Program contact Ms. Debra Walsh, USGS Office of
Acquisition and Federal Assistance, (703) 648-7384, fax (703) 648-7901.
 
For the NSDI Framework Demonstration Projects Program contact Ms. Tammy
Fanning, USGS Office of Acquisition and Federal Assistance, (703)
648-7363, fax (703) 648-7901.