3DNTM_DCA_BAA_Program_Announcement_DOIDSAM27G002_1.pdf

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 1

U.S. Geological Survey

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for 3D National

Topography Model Data Collaboration Announcement

DOIDSAM27G002

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 2

I. OVERVIEW INFORMATION 3

II. 3D NATIONAL TOPOGRAPHY MODEL (3DNTM) 4

III. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM (3DEP) OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION 5

IV. 3D HYDROGRAPHY PROGRAM (3DHP) OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION 8

IV. AWARD INFORMATION 11

V. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 11

VI. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 12

VII. SUBMISSION REVIEW INFORMATION 13

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS 17

IX. GENERAL INFORMATION 17

X. ATTACHMENTS 19

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 3

I. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

Agency Name: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Geospatial Program, 12201

Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 590, Reston, VA 20192

Issuing Acquisition Office: USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG), 12201 Sunrise

Valley Drive, MS 205, Reston, VA 20191

Lidar Data Acquisition Opportunity Title: 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

Hydrography Data Acquisition Opportunity Title: 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP)

Announcement Type and Date: Initial Announcement – October 15, 2026

CFDA Number: 15.817 National Geospatial Program: Building the National Map

Public Meetings: A public webinar to review submission procedures and discuss 3DEP and 3DHP specifications and product deliverables will be held on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 3 pm ET/12 pm PT. Materials from the webinar will be posted on:

www.usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA

Questions: Submit 3DEP questions to 3DEP_DCA@usgs.gov. Submit 3DHP questions to

3DHP_DCA@usgs.gov.

Response Dates: Proposals for acquisition are due by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, December

4, 2026. This opportunity will remain open and proposals received after the initial due date will be considered for review until June 1, 2027 or until such time as the opportunity is cancelled through an amendment or another is issued; additional selections will be made depending on availability of funding and evaluation of proposals consistent with the evaluation criteria provided herein. Amendments to this opportunity may be issued if additional funding or geographically targeted partnership opportunities become available during the open period of this opportunity.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information collection is authorized by

Executive Order 12906. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We estimate it will take approximately 40 hours to lay the foundation for a lidar or hydrography acquisition project and 1 hour to prepare and submit the application.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 USC 3501), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. OMB reviewed and approved this information collection through

November 2026 and assigned OMB Control Number 1028-0092. You may submit comments on any aspect of this information collection, including the accuracy of the estimated burden hours and suggestions to reduce this burden. Send your comments https://www.usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA mailto:3DEP_DCA@usgs.gov mailto:3DHP_DCA@usgs.gov

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 4 to: Information Collections Clearance Officer, US Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise

Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192 or to gs-info_collections@usgs.gov.

II. 3D NATIONAL TOPOGRAPHY MODEL (3DNTM)

A. Introduction

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is issued to provide an opportunity to partner with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other Federal agencies to acquire high-resolution 3D elevation and hydrography mapping data through the 3DNTM Data

Collaboration Announcement (DCA). The 3DNTM DCA partnerships efficiently and effectively leverage funding to respond to the documented and growing need for high-quality elevation and hydrography data, which significantly benefit Americans across an array of applications like infrastructure planning, discovery of critical minerals, energy development, and disaster preparation and response for severe weather events, earthquakes, landslides, and other emergencies.

Project submissions are invited from applicants who wish to partner through the 3D

Elevation Program (3DEP) opportunity or the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) opportunity to fund lidar or hydrography data acquisition through the USGS Geospatial

Products and Services Contract (GPSC). Federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, academic institutions, and the private sector are eligible to submit projects. The

Government will review applications based on the evaluation criteria identified in section VII of this opportunity.

A synopsis of previous 3DNTM DCA Awards is available on https://usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA. 3DEP and 3DHP products and services, including data resulting from this opportunity can be accessed via The National Map Data Download and Visualization Services: https://apps.nationalmap.gov.

B. 3DNTM Background

The USGS is accelerating the future of national mapping with the 3DNTM, a transformative effort that modernizes, aligns, and integrates the Nation’s elevation and hydrography data to meet evolving scientific, governmental, industry, and community needs. The 3DNTM is designed to deliver high-resolution, high-quality topographic data that supports critical decision-making across sectors.

As part of this effort, the 3DNTM DCA invites public and private partners to collaborate on the collection of 3DEP lidar data and 3DHP surface water data. 3DEP provides high-quality Nationwide elevation data, primarily from lidar and IfSAR. In Federal fiscal year

(FY) 2026, 3DEP completed its initial baseline coverage which provides an essential mailto:gs-info_collections@usgs.gov https://usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA https://apps.nationalmap.gov/

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 5 reference that is critical to a broad range of applications. The addition of multiple, higher quality next generation 3DEP acquisitions builds on the baseline data to significantly expand analysis capabilities and support applications necessary for a more resilient economy, such as flood risk management, infrastructure construction and management, energy development, critical minerals exploration and more.

Complementing 3DEP, the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) is modernizing the Nation’s surface water mapping for the first time in decades by generating detailed hydrographic features directly from 3DEP elevation data. Replacing legacy hydrography datasets, 3DHP integrates streams, lakes, catchments, flow networks, enhanced elevation surfaces, and new hydrologic attributes into a unified, open data system. 3DHP data and capabilities allow water suppliers to improve water quality and availability, engineers to make better decisions, disaster response planners to better mitigate natural disasters, hydrologists to more fully model the hydrologic cycle, and managers to better develop resources.

The USGS is designated by the Office of Management and Budget (in 2002 through OMB

Circular A–16) as the lead Federal agency for inland waters and terrestrial elevation data. 3DEP and 3DHP are designed to fulfill that leadership responsibility and to ensure that the needs of the Nation for high-quality 3D elevation data and 3D hydrography are being met. This role cannot be filled by the USGS alone. The programs are a collaborative effort that include many partners, such as Federal agencies and State, Tribal, and local governments, who are working together to update and improve the national collection of 3D elevation and 3D hydrography data.

Private sector mapping firms, under contract to the Government, collect the data and provide essential technology solutions to manage and deliver these services. The implementation model for 3DNTM is based on multi-agency partnership funding for data acquisition, with the USGS acting in a lead program management role to facilitate planning and data acquisition for the broader community. 3DNTM presents a unique opportunity to increase collaboration among all levels of government, to leverage the services and expertise of private sector mapping firms that acquire the data.

III. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM (3DEP) OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Objective

The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is the Elevation component of the 3DNTM. This opportunity will result in public domain 3DEP data for the 3DNTM obtained through collaboration between the USGS and a broad range of partners.

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 6

B. 3DEP Opportunity Considerations and Clarifications

1. Contract Mechanism

The existing USGS Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC) is the sole mechanism available for data acquisition through this opportunity. The GPSC is a multiple award acquisition vehicle that is designed to utilize the teams of firms on the contract for services needed to accomplish 3DEP and 3DHP data acquisition. The contracts include acquisition, processing, and quality assurance of lidar and other source geographic data. These contracts are already in place and have been awarded through a competitive process, consistent with the Competition in

Contracting Act and the Brooks Act. Firms on the GPSC have been selected based on their qualifications and performance in providing the professional services needed for 3DEP and 3DHP. The GPSC is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides for an indefinite quantity of services for a fixed time, above a specified minimum. IDIQs help streamline the contract process and speed service delivery.

The GPSC is also offered as a service for acquiring elevation data for external organizations who are not seeking additional funding. See https://www.usgs.gov/3DEP/GPSC for more information.

2. Publication of 3DEP Data for Federally Recognized Tribal Lands

The DOI Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes and the DOI Policy on Consultation with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations requires that DOI

Agencies provide federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, or

ANCSA Corporations the opportunity to consult with the Agency before taking any action affecting Tribal or ANCSA Corporation interests. The USGS has determined that the acquisition and publication of airborne lidar for Tribal lands requires Tribal notification. All selected projects are subject to this policy.

The USGS sent a National notification letter to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, ANSCA Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations about ongoing data acquisition for both 3DEP and 3DHP. If the Tribe objects to public release of the products resulting from the lidar acquisition for their lands, the data may not be published. All other project area data outside of the Tribal land boundaries will be published. All non-federal entities must receive written permission from the Tribe to receive a copy of the restricted data regardless of their status as a funding partner. Entities who receive a copy may not distribute the https://www.usgs.gov/3DEP/GPSC https://www.doi.gov/tribes/tribal-consultation https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/faq/ancsa

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 7 restricted Tribal data.

C. 3DEP Lidar Base Specification, Project Deliverables and Upgrade Options

1. Lidar Base Specification

The deliverables for any given project must conform to the USGS product specification for lidar and derived products in effect at the time of GPSC task order.

Information on the current version of the USGS Lidar Base Specification can be found at http://www.usgs.gov/3dep/lidarspec. All data acquired through this opportunity must undergo and pass data validation conducted by the USGS.

2. Quality Level Upgrades

The USGS will contribute funds for the cost of Quality Level (QL) 1 or QL2 data as proposed by the applicant. Costs associated with an upgrade to the acquisition of higher quality data (QL0) are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

3. Product and Service Upgrades

USGS will not contribute funding toward additional products and services. Additional products and services must be documented in 3DEP-A - DCA Project Summary Form and, if using, 3DEP-C - Project Planning Estimate to ensure these requirements are included in the estimated cost of the project. Collection of additional products may be discussed with the GPSC team during the project development and agreements process. The cost of additional products and services will be incorporated into partner funding agreement(s).

4. Exceptions for Non-Conventional Technologies

Data collected using Geiger Mode and Single Photon lidar systems do not currently meet the 3DEP Lidar Base Specification, which was written to specifically address conventional lidar systems. Applications for the use of non-conventional technologies will be considered and reviewed against the project evaluation considerations, with noted exceptions to the lidar base specification. All exceptions to the lidar base specification and other data anomalies resulting from the use of non-conventional lidar systems will be discussed, documented, and agreed upon prior to GPSC task order.

http://www.usgs.gov/3dep/lidarspec https://www.usgs.gov/ngp-standards-and-specifications/lidar-base-specification-online

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 8

5. Project Boundaries, Coordinate Reference System, and Tiling Scheme

A properly formatted vector geographic information system (GIS) file representing the project defined project area (DPA) must be submitted as a part of the project submission package and must be used for project cost estimates. The DPA is defined as the area of interest (AOI) plus a 100-meter buffer around the AOI.

The full extent of the DPA must contain data produced to meet 3DEP lidar base specifications. 3DEP project deliverables will be delivered in the coordinate reference system(s) (CRS) and tiling scheme of the applicant’s choosing. The CRS(s) must be registered with the European Petroleum Survey Group (EPSG). Where a project area covers multiple CRS zones, USGS requires the project to be split into subareas appropriate for each zone. A second delivery can be requested if the partner prefers a copy of the data in a single CRS in these cases. Details about CRS requirements are outlined in the “coordinate reference system” section of the current 3DEP Lidar Base Specification.

Information and instructions for creating a 3DEP DPA are included in 3DEP-B -

Instructions for Creating 3DEP Defined Project Area and Tile Delivery Scheme.

IV. 3D HYDROGRAPHY PROGRAM (3DHP) OPPORTUNITY

DESCRIPTION

A. Objective

The 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) is the hydrography component of the 3DNTM.

This opportunity will result in public domain 3DHP data for the 3DNTM obtained through collaboration between the USGS and a broad range of partners.

B. 3DHP Opportunity Considerations and Clarifications

1. Contract Mechanism

The existing USGS Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC) is the sole mechanism available for data acquisition through this opportunity. The GPSC is a multiple award acquisition vehicle that is designed to utilize the teams of firms on the contract for services needed to accomplish 3DEP and 3DHP data acquisition. The contracts include acquisition, processing, and quality assurance of lidar and other source geographic data. These contracts are already in place and have been awarded through a competitive process, consistent with the Competition in

Contracting Act and the Brooks Act. Firms on the GPSC have been selected based on their qualifications and performance in providing the professional services needed

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 9 for 3DEP and 3DHP. The GPSC is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides for an indefinite quantity of services for a fixed time, above a specified minimum. IDIQs help streamline the contract process and speed service delivery.

The GPSC is also offered as a service for acquiring elevation data for external organizations who are not seeking additional funding. See https://www.usgs.gov/3DEP/GPSC for more information.

2. 3DHP Acquisition in Alaska

A statewide update of hydrographic features and watershed boundaries based on the 5-meter IfSAR 3DEP elevation digital terrain model data is in progress for Alaska.

USGS is supporting this effort through existing collaborative Federal partnerships.

Because of this ongoing work, no applications from Alaska will be accepted during this opportunity.

3. Publication of 3DHP Data for Federally Recognized Tribal Lands

Where tribes have objected to public release of the products resulting from the

3DEP lidar acquisition for their lands, 3DHP data will be derived from previously available, lower resolution 1/9 or 1/3 arc-second 3DEP elevation data or from data already present in the National Hydrography Dataset.

C. 3DHP Specifications, READ Rules, and Project Deliverables

1. Elevation-Derived Hydrography Specifications and Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation Rules

Project deliverables must conform to the USGS Elevation-Derived Hydrography

(EDH) Specification and Representation, Extraction, Attribution, and Delineation

(READ) Rules in effect at the time of GPSC task order. Information on the current version of the USGS EDH Specifications and READ Rules can be found at www.usgs.gov/3DHP/HydroSpecs.

EDH is an incomplete product and does not include key attributes such as names and mainstemIDs present in the 3DHP. EDH data produced from DCA projects will not be delivered to project partners directly unless agreed to in advance by the USGS. See the Differences Between EDH and 3DHP Data webpage for more information.

All data acquired through this opportunity must undergo and pass data validation conducted by the USGS. For projects with underground stormwater drainage networks, the stormwater network will not be validated. To the extent possible, https://www.usgs.gov/3DEP/GPSC http://www.usgs.gov/3DHP/HydroSpecs https://www.usgs.gov/3DHP/differences-between-edh-and-3dhp-data

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 10

USGS will verify that main path(s) are topologically correct and connected so flow can be modeled through the subsurface network.

2. Additional Products

USGS will not contribute funding toward additional products and services collected as part of a 3DHP project. Collection of additional products can be discussed with the GPSC team during the project development and agreements process. These costs are the sole responsibility of the partner and will be incorporated into partner funding agreement(s).

3. Project Boundary

A Defined Project Area (DPA) must be developed from Watershed Boundary Dataset

(WBD) hydrologic units (HU) for all 3DHP projects. WBD boundaries have changed over time so the DPA must be based on the final version of WBD data available from the National Hydrography Products page: http://usgs.gov/NHD/DataAccess. The full extent of the DPA must contain data produced to meet Task Order requirements and adhere to 3DHP specifications and READ Rules

DPAs made up of full 8-digit HU are preferred but both 8- or 10-digit HU or combinations will be considered, particularly where full 8-digit HU cross political boundaries such as state or county lines. Projects entirely based on or including stand-alone 12-digit HU will not be allowed except where required to fill data gaps or with advance agreement from the 3DHP Data Acquisition Lead by emailing

3dhp_dca@usgs.gov.

Project boundaries that include partial hydrologic units such as those clipped by a political boundary will not be accepted except where HU cross the international boundary with Canada or Mexico or to remove areas of open water where a HU extends to the NOAA 3 Nautical Mile Line or in bays, estuaries, and sounds.

Instructions for creating a 3DHP DPA are included in 3DHP-B - Instructions for

Creating 3DHP Project Boundaries. A properly formatted vector GIS file representing the DPA must be used for project cost estimates and be submitted as a part of the application.

4. Project Coordinate Reference System

Data acquired for the Contiguous United States for input to 3DHP must be produced in the Albers NAD83(2011) (EPSG 6350) coordinate reference system (CRS) to maintain national consistency. The vertical CRS will be NAVD88 (EPSG 5703).

http://usgs.gov/NHD/DataAccess mailto:3dhp_dca@usgs.gov

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 11

Data acquired for Hawaii or US Insular Areas and Freely Associated States must be produced in the horizontal and vertical CRS described in Tables 1 and 2 of the

Elevation Derived Hydrography Specifications: www.usgs.gov/3DHP/EDHSpecs.

5. Source Elevation Data

Source lidar data used for 3DHP development requires prior validation and acceptance by the USGS 3DEP. 3DEP quality lidar must be available for the entire

DPA. USGS requires the use of the seamless 1-meter elevation product for 3DHP projects where it is available.

IV. AWARD INFORMATION

Awards made under this opportunity are subject to the availability of funds and will be in the form of a contract for data acquisition through the USGS GPSC. Multiple awards are anticipated.

V. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Single entities or groups of federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, academic institutions, and the private sector are eligible to submit projects. GPSC contractors and subcontractors are excluded from applying to this opportunity.

B. Cost Share and Project Scope

Applications for simultaneous acquisition of 3DEP and 3DHP will not be accepted.

The 3DEP and 3DHP implementation models are a community effort based on multi-agency partnership funding for data acquisition. Applicants must commit to funding a portion of the project (cost share) to be considered for an award. Project cost share is one factor used to evaluate project submissions.

All project awards must comply with the following USGS Appropriations Law:

The USGS may not pay more than one-half the cost of topographic mapping (which includes lidar and derived elevation products, including hydrography mapping) carried on in cooperation with States and municipalities (43 USC 50). This law limits the USGS contribution to the project but does not limit the total contribution by the

Federal Government. Multiple federal agencies may contribute to a project and collectively contribute greater than 50%. The evaluation team will review the submitted project funding package to ensure that the USGS contribution does not exceed 50%. Citation of this law should not be construed as an offer from the USGS to fund 50% of a project submission.

https://www.usgs.gov/3DHP/EDHSpecs

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 12

C. Post-Employment Conflicts of Interest

There are certain post-employment restrictions on former Federal officers and employees, including special government employees (Section 207 of Title 18, U.S.C.).

If a prospective applicant believes a conflict of interest may exist, the situation should be emailed to 3dhp_dca@usgs.gov or 3dep_dca@usgs.gov, prior to expending time and effort to prepare a proposal.

VI. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Application Submission

To submit a 3DNTM DCA project for consideration, email the required documents and forms to 3dhp_dca@usgs.gov or 3dep_dca@usgs.gov. The email subject line should include the following: State, Last name of the primary applicant, FY27DCA –

3DHP (e.g. VASmithFY27DCA – 3DHP). It is very important that the email indicates which 3DNTM program is being applied for (i.e. 3DEP or 3DHP).

B. Format and Content of Proposals

Applicants must complete and submit required documents listed for each program.

3DEP Submissions must include:

• 3DEP-A - DCA Project Summary Form

• 3DEP-D - Validation of Proposed Funding Partners. A separate form for each funding partner should be included.

• A GIS file defining the location and coverage area of the project formatted as described in Form 3DEP-B - Instructions for Creating 3DEP Defined Project Area and Tile Delivery Scheme.

• All required forms are available for download www.usgs.gov/3DNTM/FY27_3DEP

3DHP Submissions must include:

• 3DHP-A - DCA Project Summary Form

• 3DHP-D - Validation of Proposed Funding Partners. A separate form for each funding partner should be included.

• A GIS file defining the location and coverage area of the project. The file should be formatted as described in 3DHP-B - Instructions for Creating 3DHP Project

Boundaries.

• All required forms and instructions are available for download:

www.usgs.gov/3DNTM/FY27_3DHP mailto:3dep_dca@usgs.gov

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 13

C. Submission Dates and Times

Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on Friday December 4, 2026.

Project submissions will be reviewed after the submission deadline but project selection may not be finalized until the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) federal budget is passed.

D. Late Submission and Withdrawal of a Proposal

Applicants are responsible for submitting the electronic application through the proper mechanism in sufficient time to enable receipt by the designated

Government office by the submission deadline. If the electronic submittals are received after the date and time specified, the submittal will be considered “late” and will be considered for review after initial project selections are made. Project submissions will be considered for review until no remaining FY27 funds are available for obligation.

Project submissions may be withdrawn by emailing a request to

3dep_dca@usgs.gov or 3dhp_dca@usgs.gov. Withdrawals are effective upon acknowledgement of the request by the 3DEP or 3DHP Data Acquisition Lead.

VII. SUBMISSION REVIEW INFORMATION

USGS expects to select multiple 3DNTM projects through this opportunity. Each project submission will be reviewed individually, on its own merits, to confirm that it meets with program goals and represents good value to the Government. The evaluation considerations are intended to highlight the importance of fostering engagement and identifying mutual areas of interest and common goals between the federal, state, and local 3DNTM partners.

A. 3DEP Criteria

1. Project Location

Consideration will be given for project areas:

• In the Contiguous US (CONUS) where data are 5 or more years old as defined in

3DEP-F - FY27 Consolidated Federal Priority Acquisition Areas or where significant changes to the landscape have occurred and is documented in the project submission.

• In Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories where data are 8 or more years old as defined in 3DEP-F FY27 Consolidated Federal Priority Acquisition Areas or where

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 14 significant changes to the landscape have occurred and is documented in the project submission.

• That overlap Federal agency priority areas identified in 3DEP-F FY27 Consolidated

Federal Priority Acquisition Areas.

2. Areal Extent

Consideration is given to projects greater than 1,500 square miles in recognition of cost savings associated with larger data acquisition projects. Projects smaller than

1,500 square miles may be considered in the following circumstances:

a) Where the project DPA defines a complete geophysical or political unit.

b) For projects that represent significant cost share by the applicant.

c) Where the total area of a project is reduced due to overlap with another DCA project submission.

3. Project Cost and Cost Share (funds contributed by applicant)

The cost of lidar data acquisition varies based on the geographic extent of the project, terrain, and vegetative cover. Consideration is given to applicants that offer larger contributions (cost share) to the total cost of their project. USGS cost share for eligible projects is subject to availability of funds and applicable statutes (43 USC

50).

Applicants must include an ESTIMATED cost of their project using any of the following methods:

a) A project planning estimate (PPE) received from the USGS GPSC

Commercial Partnership Team. Applicants should follow the instructions and submit 3DEP-C - Project Planning Estimate as soon as possible and no later than 5:00 PM ET on Friday November 13, 2026 to receive the estimate in time to meet the December 4, 2026 project submission deadline.

b) An estimate received from a lidar data acquisition contractor.

c) An estimate from another source along with an explanation of how the cost estimate was derived.

d) For estimates not based on a USGS PPE, the USGS will complete an independent review during the evaluation period to determine if the estimates reflect valid industry cost for the specific geographic area and reflect a good value to the Government.

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 15

4. Maturity of Applicant’s Proposal and Maturity of Designated Funding Sources

The “Maturity” selection criterion recognizes the importance of engaging with, building trust, and identifying mutual areas of interest and common goals between the Federal, state, and local communities. Applicants are required to provide verification of all proposed funding partners listed in their project submission via

3DEP-D - Validation of Proposed Funding Partners. A “mature” project submission will have a large proportion of guaranteed funding.

5. Past Performance

Past performance is evaluated based on the applicant’s history of financial management and partnering through the GPSC, if available.

B. 3DHP Criteria

1. Project Location

Consideration will be given for project areas:

a) With published 3DEP data, as shown on the USGS Lidar Explorer Map

(https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-explorer/), and with no existing or in-progress 3DHP data as defined on 3DHP-F - FY27 Consolidated Federal

Priority Acquisition Areas.

b) Project submissions may be considered on a limited basis over areas where

3DEP data have been acquired but are not yet published.

c) Consideration is given to projects that overlap Federal priority areas identified in 3DHP-F - FY27 Consolidated Federal Priority Acquisition Areas.

2. Project Cost and Cost Share (funds contributed by applicant)

The cost of hydrography data acquisition varies based on the geographic extent of the project, terrain, land cover, and land use characteristics. Consideration is given to applicants that offer larger contributions (cost share) to the total cost of their project. USGS cost share for eligible projects is subject to availability of funds and applicable statutes (43 USC 50).

Applicants must include an ESTIMATED cost of their project using any of the following methods:

a) A project planning estimate (PPE) received from the USGS GPSC Commercial

Partnership Team. Applicants should follow the instructions and submit

3DHP-C - Project Planning Estimate as soon as possible and no later than 5:00 https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-explorer/

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 16

PM ET on Friday November 13, 2026 to receive the estimate in time to meet the December 4, 2026 project submission deadline.

b) An estimate received from a hydrography data acquisition contractor.

c) An estimate from another source along with an explanation of how the cost estimate was derived.

d) For estimates not based on a USGS PPE, the USGS will complete an independent review during the evaluation period to determine if the estimates reflect valid industry cost for the specific geographic area and reflect a good value to the Government.

3. Maturity of Applicant’s Proposal and Maturity of Designated Funding Sources

The “Maturity” selection criterion recognizes the importance of engaging with, building trust, and identifying mutual areas of interest and common goals between the Federal, state, and local communities. Applicants are required to provide verification of all proposed funding partners listed in their project submission via

3DEP-D - Validation of Proposed Funding Partners. A “mature” project submission will have a large proportion of guaranteed funding.

4. Past Performance

Past performance is evaluated based on the applicant’s history of financial management and partnering through the GPSC, if available.

C. Review and Selection Process

3DNTM expects to select multiple projects through this opportunity. Each project submission will be reviewed individually, on its own merits, to confirm that it meets with program goals and represents good value to the Government. The evaluation considerations are intended to highlight the importance of fostering engagement and identifying mutual areas of interest and common goals between the federal, state, and local 3DNTM partners.

Timing of project acceptance notification emails depends on the FY27 federal budget. Staggered notification of project selections is likely as selections are dependent upon the availability of federal funds. Applicants whose projects are accepted for funding will be contacted by a Program and/or GPSC representative to continue project development, determine the final funding amount from both the applicant and USGS, and establish the period of performance for the GPSC Task

Order.

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 17

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

3DEP: Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments or questions via email to 3DEP_DCA@usgs.gov. Comments or questions submitted should be concise and reference the relevant part and paragraph of the BAA. All questions and responses will be publicly posted as FAQs to usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA/FAQ during the open period of this opportunity. Please take caution when submitting questions containing proprietary or sensitive information.

3DHP: Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments or questions via email to 3DHP_DCA@usgs.gov. Comments or questions submitted should be concise and reference the relevant part and paragraph of the BAA. All questions and responses will be publicly posted as FAQs to usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA/FAQ during the open period of this opportunity. Please take caution when submitting questions containing proprietary or sensitive information.

IX. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Marking of Proposals and Disclosure of Proprietary Information Outside the

Government

The proposal submitted in response to this opportunity may contain technical and other data that the applicant does not want disclosed to the public or used by the

Government for any purpose other than evaluation of the proposal. Public release of information in any proposal submitted will be subject to existing statutory and regulatory requirements. If proprietary information which constitutes a trade secret, proprietary commercial or financial information, confidential personal information, or data affecting the national security, is provided by the applicant in a proposal, it will be treated in confidence, to the extent permitted by law, provided that the following legend appears and is completed on the front of any proposal documentation submitted to the Government: “For any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal, this data must not be disclosed outside the Government and must not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part, provided that if an award is made to the applicant as a result of or in connection with the submission of this data, the Government must have the right to duplicate, use or disclose the data to the extent provided in the agreement. This restriction does not limit the right of the Government to use information contained in the data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction is contained in page(s) ____ of this proposal.” Any other legend may be unacceptable to the

Government and may constitute grounds for removing the proposal from further consideration without assuming any liability for inadvertent disclosure. The mailto:3DEP_DCA@usgs.gov https://usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA/FAQ mailto:3DHP_DCA@usgs.gov https://usgs.gov/3DNTM/DCA/FAQ

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 18

Government will limit dissemination of properly marked information to within official channels. In addition, the pages indicated as restricted must be marked with the following legend: “Use or disclosure of the proposed data on lines specifically identified by asterisk (*) are subject to the restriction on the front page of this proposal.”

The Government assumes no liability for disclosure or use of unmarked data and may use or disclose such data for any purpose.

By submission of a proposal, the applicant understands that proprietary information may be disclosed outside the Government for the sole purpose of technical evaluation. The USGS OAG will obtain a written agreement from the evaluator that proprietary information in the proposal will only be used for evaluation purposes and will not be further disclosed or utilized.

B. Disclosure of National Statistics

Understanding needs for high-resolution elevation and hydrography data allows the

USGS and 3DNTM collaborators to define a program that best meets the needs of the Nation. Project submissions provide insight into geographic priorities, the level of funding needed to support these priorities, and the resources partners can contribute to data acquisition for 3DEP and 3DHP. Collective statistics including total funds requested, total square miles requested, and areas of interest (in graphic and/or GIS file format) may be made publicly available by USGS. Individual applicant information will not be associated with these collective statistics.

C. Government Obligation

Applicants are cautioned that only an appointed Contracting Officer may obligate the Government to the expenditure of funds. Applicants who make financial or other commitments for a research effort in the absence of an actual legal obligation signed by a Contracting Officer do so at their own risk.

D. Prohibition on Contractor Involvement with Terrorist Activities

The applicant acknowledges that U.S. Executive Orders and Laws, including but not limited to Executive Order 13224 and Public Law 107-56, prohibit transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and Laws.

FY27 3DNTM BAA Solicitation Page 19

X. ATTACHMENTS

FY27 DCA 3DEP-A - DCA Project Summary Form FY27 DCA 3DEP-B - Instructions for Creating 3DEP Defined Project Area and Tile Delivery Scheme FY27 DCA 3DEP-C - Project Planning Estimate FY27 DCA 3DEP-D - Validation of Proposed Funding Partners FY27 DCA 3DEP-E -3DEP Data Validation Timeline FY27 DCA 3DEP-F Consolidated Federal Priority Acquisition Areas

FY27 DCA 3DHP-A - DCA Project Summary Form FY27 DCA 3DHP-B - Instructions for Creating 3DHP Project Boundaries FY27 DCA 3DHP-C - Request for Planning Project Estimate FY27 DCA 3DHP-D -Validation of Proposed Funding Partners FY27 DCA 3DHP-E - 3DHP Data Validation Timeline FY27 DCA 3DHP-F Consolidated Federal Priority Acquisition Areas