NCGMP-ONEGEOLOGY MEMBERSHIP

Based in Reston, VA, the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), supporting the Core Science Systems (CSS) Mission Area, requests a continuation of membership with OneGeology. OneGeology is a global initiative of the world¿s geological surveys to share and serve geoscience data and geologic data formats. Sharing of FAIR data and standards allows for better 3D geological mapping and modeling, resource assessment estimations, and commodity exploration.

Membership in OneGeology allows the USGS to drive the direction of global geoscience infrastructure and set priorities for the evolution of global geoscience, all of which are critical to the Mission of the USGS. Period of Performance will be a 12-Month Base Period. NERC Science of the Environment OneGeology is to be awarded this action on a sole source basis under the authority of authority FAR Part 13.106-1.

Vendors are invited to contact the Contract Specialist, Miranda Blankenship via email at mblankenship@usgs.gov no later than 12:00PM EST, Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with any questions or comments.

Sole Source Justification States the Following:

The Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Acquisition Branch, plans to contract by means other than full and open competition. This document sets forth the justification and approval for use of one of the exceptions to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984. This is a new award for the Member Country Subscription to the United Kingdom (UK) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for year 2023/FY2024.

Suggested vendor is the NERC Science of the Environment. This membership subscription will provide the USGS with the invaluable opportunity to contribute scientifically to OneGeology, whose mission is built around illustrating the many ways in which geology and geological data are recorded and shared within the global arena. This opportunity means enhancing worldwide understandability and interest in the geology field through direct access to OneGeology geoscience and cartographic data.

Dues will provide a greatly increased worldwide level of exposure for the USGS scientific contributions to OneGeology that is otherwise unattainable through alternative platforms. Membership and participation in OneGeology allow a member organization to access world geoscience digital data management technology and resources. OneGeology members help to drive the direction of international geoscience cyber-infrastructure and to define any problems, establish the solution criteria, and set priorities.

The proposed action may be awarded on a sole source basis under the authority FAR Part 13.106-1. OneGeology is a unique international initiative of the geological surveys of the world who are working together with the support of international organizations, regional organizations, and industry sponsors to drive the direction of international geoscience digital data management technology. There is no equivalent organization to meet the Government¿s minimum needs.

The USGS is a trusted leader (both within the United States and internationally) in geologic mapping standards development and cartographic imagery. This membership in OneGeology allows the USGS to be current with international geologic mapping standards and provides an opportunity to contribute USGS standards and expertise to this process, thus influencing the international geologic community and giving the USGS an actionable voice on important international geoscience topics.

If this membership is not renewed, then the ability for the USGS to participate in the further development on a global platform to improving access to international geoscience data and ensuring interoperability of scientific data for users will be significantly hindered. Consequently, the USGS would lose the ability to influence global geologic standards and diminish its standing in the international community of national geological surveys.

Market research has been conducted by contacting knowledgeable individuals in Government and industry for recommendations and alternative platforms and by reviewing generally available literature published on-line by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the AASG (Association of American State Geologists), geological surveys of the world, academia, invested stakeholders, and scientific journals.

This market research has led to the determination that OneGeology is the only international body that maintains a global initiative for access to state of the art geoscience data as well as interoperability capabilities of that data. OneGeology has accelerated the transfer and exchange of groundbreaking industry advancements that have effectively increased and enhanced the level of industry-wide knowledge, ideas, and concepts through direct access to their state-of-the-art digital technologies and Web services.