GLAP2_PWS_091725.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

(NGA)

NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE COLLEGE (NGC)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

GEOINT LEARNING THROUGH ACADEMIC

PROGRAMS II (GLAP II)

17 SEPT 2025

REV. 1

1 BACKGROUND

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) provides geospatial intelligence, imagery intelligence, and geospatial data for planning, decision-making, and action in support of national security. It represents a unified community of geospatial-intelligence producers and users, leveraging expert tradecraft, and regional expertise do deliver multi-source, multi-intelligence services to policy makers and international organizations.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence College (NGC), a training organization within NGA, is a Council on Occupational Education (COE)-accredited learning institution that focuses on geospatial intelligence, leadership, and professional development for the Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) community. NGC aligns learning opportunities to the agency’s mission, strategy, and goals, and enables learning opportunities that are innovative, flexible, and tailored to the needs of the GEOINT professionals.

To meet the needs of the workforce, NGC has a range of programs that brings GEOINT training directly to the workforce. Those programs include internally developed and managed curriculum, such as the GEOINT Analytic Training Program, and vendor-provided curriculum such as the GEOINT Learning through Academic Programs, which offers condensed advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses through a relationship with non-Government universities.

These programs are also available to the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG), the Allied System for Geospatial Intelligence (ASG), as well as other U.S. and foreign government entities (collectively referred to as the GEOINT Enterprise).

2 SCOPE

The purpose of this multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is to obtain contractor personnel, services and materials needed to perform the work set forth in this Performance Work Statement (PWS). The GLAP II contractors shall deliver requested condensed advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses to the NGC in support of the NGA workforce’s GEOINT training needs. The courses shall be based on existing advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses from the Contractor’s course catalog. These courses shall be modified for delivery to the government workforce, for example by streamlining or removing content, shortening the duration, and meeting over a condensed period as coordinated between the Contractor providing the courses and the GLAP II Government Course Manager. The courses shall be virtual instructor led (synchronous or asynchronous) or self-paced online. The Contractor(s) shall provide a list of available courses (see section 3.2 Course Catalog) and then individual courses will be procured via calls, as described in section 4.3 Ordering Process.

The Contractor(s) for the GLAP II BPA shall provide training solutions that will be selected from eleven subject areas. No individual Contractor is expected to be able to provide courses across all subject areas, hence the multiple-award BPA. Calls will be issued by the Government in the following subject areas:

APPVSEQUENCER

Highlight

Artificial Intelligence Computer Vision Data Modeling Bathymetry Machine Learning GIS & Analysis Tools

Geospatial Data Management Data Analytics and Visualization Geomatics/Geodesy/Geodetic

Engineering and Surveying Geospatial Information Analysis Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis

Appendix A - Subject Areas of Study further defines each subject area above and provides course examples.

The Contractor shall meet the following accreditation/affiliation requirements:

1. For academic institutions (college or university), the Contractor shall:

a) Be regionally accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND accredited by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)

OR

b) Be regionally accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND a member in good standing with the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS).

2. For non-academic institutions, the Contractor shall offer courses from academic institutions that are:

a) Regionally accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND accredited by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)

OR

b) Regionally accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND a member in good standing with the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS).

3 REQUIRED TASKS

3.1 Program Management

The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources, technical processes, and infrastructure to the successful management, performance, and administration of this BPA. The Contractor shall provide a single point of contact, the Program Manager (PM) for overarching BPA requirements. The Contractor PM shall then provide a course instructor Point of Contact (POC) for each course. The POC will coordinate specific course session details related to the syllabi directly with the Government.

3.1.1 Quarterly Program Management Reviews (PMRs)

The Contractor PM shall conduct quarterly meetings (CDRL A0001) to deliver updates to the Government on program status and performance outcomes. The agenda and scheduling of the PMR shall be coordinated with the GLAP II Government Course Manager and COR and its content shall accurately verify the status of performance against BPA requirements and relevant financial information (e.g. invoices). The PMRs shall be held virtually. In addition, the Contractor shall provide the pre-meeting agenda (CDRL A0002) to the GLAP II Government Course Manager five (5) business days prior

APPVSEQUENCER

Highlight

APPVSEQUENCER

Highlight to the meeting and post-meeting minutes (CDRL A0003) within five (5) business days following the meeting.

3.2 Course Catalog

The Contractor shall deliver and maintain a catalog of all available courses for each subject area identified in Appendix A (CDRL A0004). For each course in the catalog, the Contractor shall identify:

University Course ID Course Name Subject Area of Study Course Level University Provider Course Description

Prerequisite Requirements Delivery Method Course Length (hours) Course Cost Hardware Requirements Software Requirements

The Government will select courses for delivery using the course catalog, which will then be purchased in alignment with the ordering process detailed in Section 4.3.

3.3 Course Management

3.3.1 Course Planning

The Contractor shall coordinate with the GLAP II Government Course Manager on any projected course orders to ensure instructor availability.

The Contractor shall coordinate with the GLAP II Government Course Manager on determining the exact schedule for each course.

Once the Government places a call order for a specific course, the Contractor shall provide a course syllabus to the GLAP II Government Course Manager no less than 30 business days prior to the start of the course (CDRL A0005).

The Contractor shall be responsible for coordinating with the GLAP II Government Course Manager at least 10 business days prior to the start of each class to discuss the composition of the class.

The Contractor shall ensure that all course materials are accessible and available in sufficient quantities seven business days prior to course commencement (CDRL A0006).

This includes providing electronic copies or accessible links to all course materials that will be used in class to the students and the GLAP II Course Manager. Course materials costs shall be included in the price of the course.

3.3.2 Course Closeout

The Contractor shall submit a completion report to the GLAP II Government Course Manager no later than 10 business days after the end of the course (CDRL A0007). The completion report is based on the criteria of the individual course per the syllabus and includes student attendance and students’ completions.

Only the Government shall administer an end-of course survey and provide the report to the Contractor for their review. The Contractor shall discuss the results of the survey and any necessary follow-up actions during the quarterly PMR (CDRL A0001).

The Contractor shall record all virtual training courses and make them available to students for review no later than 14 calendar days after course closeout (CDRL A0008).

3.4 Course Delivery

The Contractor shall support the delivery of all courses through the execution of NGA’s course call order. The Contractor shall deliver courses in the approved modality, which includes virtual instructor-led courses (synchronous or asynchronous) or self-paced online courses. (CDRL A0009).

The Contractor shall ensure that all courses are delivered in accordance with the approved course syllabus. Any deviations from the course syllabus that change the originally intended learning objectives will result in failure to fulfill the requirements, and consequently to non-acceptance and non-payment for the course. In these instances, the Contractor shall meet with the CO, the COR and the GLAP II Government Course Manager immediately following the course to determine the course deviation impact and future remedies.

The Contractor shall utilize instructional methodologies designed for adult learners.

The Contractor shall minimize the reliance on lecture/slide presentations; when applicable, and utilize problem-based or project-based learning strategies to facilitate learning.

The Contractor shall determine and track completion and assessment criteria (as appropriate) for each individual course.

3.5 Course Requirements

The Contractor shall ensure that each course delivered meets the following course requirements. For planning purposes, the Government anticipates a minimum of 10 and maximum of 24 students per class.

3.5.1 Course Duration

Each course shall not exceed 40 hours of instruction (roughly 5 days). Class days do not have to be consecutive. If additional hours are required to reach the desired learning outcome, the adjustment shall be coordinated with the government and reflected in the accepted syllabus in accordance with applicable deadlines as well as in the call issued by the CO.

3.5.2 Daily Course Hours

Every day of instruction shall include 8 hours of training, which may consist of a combination of instruction and self-study time, including, for example, homework, asynchronous reading time, and capstone projects. Instructors shall be accessible to students during self-paced study time.

The Contractor shall ensure that students do not exceed 8 hours of classroom training in a single day. This 8-hour limit excludes a 30-minute lunch break.

The contractor shall provide students with a 10-minute break for every hour of instruction.

3.5.3 Instruction-to-Self-Study Ratio

Instructor-led courses incorporate time for self-paced study/training. The Contractor shall ensure that expected self-paced study hours do not surpass total instructor-led hours. Every day of instruction shall consist of at least four hours of instruction. For example:

o If there are five hours of instruction in an eight-hour classroom day, there shall be three hours of self-study.

o Three hours of instruction with five hours of self-study is not permitted.

For fully self-paced online courses, the Contractor shall be accessible for at least 20 percent of the allotted self-paced study time; hours of availability shall be published in the course syllabus.

3.5.4 Course Schedule

Courses do not need to run on consecutive days, but the course schedule shall be coordinated in advance with the GLAP II Course Manager. Examples of acceptable schedules include, but are not limited to:

o Eight hours of classroom training per day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in one week, followed by Tuesday and Thursday the following week.

o Eight hours per day, two days per week over two weeks, with the final day in the third week.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed course schedule in the syllabus outlining:

o Exact days of the week the class will meet, including start and end times for each topic/activity.

o Specific topics covered during instruction and self-study activities.

3.6 Course Materials Requirements

The Contractor shall ensure students have access to required software and tools; and shall provide timely technical support to troubleshoot issues and minimize disturbances to course delivery.

The Contractor shall ensure that handouts not only expand on the course presentation but can also be utilized by students post-training as performance support tools.

Aside from standard Microsoft Office programs, the Contractor shall provide students with access to all software required for course completion throughout the duration of the course.

If the software required for the course is Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) and available for download on the internet, the Contractor shall provide students with a link to a secure and verified download location before the course begins.

For any software that requires a license, the Contractor shall provide the necessary licenses and download instructions to the students before the course begins or shall provide access through the Contractor’s Learning Management System or Virtual Machine.

3.7 Ordering Process

Upon identification of a course need, the GLAP II Government Course Manager will select course(s) from the course catalog and the CO will issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) to all BPA holders based on the following lead times:

Instructor-led virtual training: at least 60 days prior to the planned delivery.

Self-paced online training: at least seven (7) days prior to the planned delivery.

The COR will coordinate with the Contractor PM to verify availability of instructors prior to issuing RFQs among universities/colleges to ensure maximum practicable competition.

After the RFQ responses are received, the Government will create a course call order and fund; accordingly, resulting in an executed purchase order for each course call order.

The GLAP II Government Course Manager will coordinate the delivery schedule and logistic details with the Contractor, as detailed in Section 3.3.1 Course Planning.

4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Invoicing

The Contractor shall submit all invoices no later than (NLT) 45 days after closeout of a course (CDRL A0010).

4.2 Course Cancellation

The Government may cancel course offerings either based on mission requirements and/or if enrollment falls below the minimum of ten participants and will notify the Contractor ten (10) business days in advance of the scheduled virtual course and three

(3) business days in advance of the self-paced online training.

If enrollment falls below the minimum of ten participants fewer than ten business days in advance of the scheduled in-person or virtual course, the Government may proceed with delivery of the course or coordinate with the Contractor on a mutually agreed-upon rescheduling option, if feasible, at no additional cost to the Government.

In the event of an unforeseen Government shutdown, such as furlough, without prior cancellation notice, the Government will not be liable for cancellation fees such as Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA).

The Contractor shall coordinate with the GLAP II Government Course Manager to reschedule canceled courses. Rescheduling any course cancelled within the 10 business days’ notice shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

4.3 Place of Performance

Courses shall be delivered in a virtual instructor-led courses (synchronous or asynchronous) or self-paced online courses. The location that the instructors teach from shall provide high-speed internet service to ensure uninterrupted course delivery in a manner conductive to learning.

Virtual, instructor-led training shall be conducted during standard business hours (7:30am to 4:30pm local time) based on the location of most students. Most courses shall follow Eastern Standard or Daylight Time (EST/EDT). The GLAP II Government Course Manager will coordinate with the Contractor to align training with the students’ local business hours.

4.4 Security

4.4.1 Unclassified Work Performance Security Requirements

Uncleared Contractor personnel are authorized to work on this contract at the Unclassified level only without the requirement of a security clearance.

4.4.2 Uncleared Personnel Security Requirements

Foreign nationals are not permitted to perform unclassified work under the terms of this contract without prior written approval from the Contracting Officer (CO) or the COR.

Should NGA identify the use of unauthorized personnel, the CO may direct the Contractor, at its own expense, to remove and replace any unauthorized Contractors, Subcontractors, or other personnel performing on the contract. Such action may be taken at the NGA's discretion without prejudice to its rights under any other contract provision, e.g., termination for default.

Uncleared Contractor personnel visiting NGA facilities or other sites may receive the appropriate visitor badge and be escorted, as appropriate. The Contractor will return the visitor badge at the end of each visit day.

4.4.3 Information Security Requirements

NGA shall have the sole authority to determine whether, and to what extent, protected information shall be provided to the Contractor under the terms of the contract. The Contractor shall not access, download, print, or further disseminate any unclassified information outside the execution of the defined contract requirements without the guidance and written permission from the COR.

When the Contractor receives protected information under the terms of this contract, the Contractor will comply with all applicable NGA, DoD, and IC information security policies for the proper marking, handling, processing, storing, and safeguarding of unclassified and CUI material. The Contractor will ensure that document markings are given the lowest possible security classification to maximize dissemination while still maintaining the information’s confidentiality and integrity as necessary.

Contractor personnel shall not release any unclassified information, regardless of medium (e.g., film, tape, document), pertaining to any part of this contract or any program related to this contract, unless the COR has given prior written approval or in performance of a project that has been scoped and negotiated by NGA.

NGA will assess and authorize Contractors to process unclassified information on government-owned information systems, conduct oversight of such information system processing, and provide information system security guidelines IAW with FAR clause 52.204-21 and other information system security control policies, standards, and procedures. Contractor will be responsible for executing specific provisions under the contract for the accreditation of classified information systems, and upon request, shall provide the COR a written statement confirming accreditation compliance with the minimum information systems requirements established in the DD254. The Contractor shall include the substance of FAR clause 52.204-21 in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the Subcontractor may have federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

In accordance with FAR Part 4.7 and FAR clause 52.215-2, the Contractor may retain one archival copy of any Government-furnished information provided to the Contractor during the course of performance of the contract, subject to Contractor following relevant data safeguarding practices and CUI restrictions. The disposition of such Government-furnished information is otherwise solely at the discretion of the Government. As directed by the NGA CO or COR, the Contractor will destroy or return to NGA all Government-furnished information upon contract termination or when no longer required for contract performance. for contract performance.

4.5 Personnel

The Contractor shall ensure that all personnel assigned to the performance of this BPA meet all the BPA requirements.

All instructors shall be U.S. citizens and meet the educational and experience standards set forth by the institution’s regional accreditation body.

4.6 Government Furnished Facilities, Information, and Equipment

Government furnished facilities, information and equipment are not to be provided on this BPA as all the courses provided by participating universities are to be virtual instructor-led courses or asynchronous/self-paced online courses.

5 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide the Government with the deliverables for this program as outlined in the Deliverables Schedule table below.

5.1. General Deliverable Requirements

All deliverables shall be submitted in a format approved by the Government. Contractor defined format may be used if there is no government standard format that applies or as agreed to by the Government.

All written deliverables shall be phrased in terms and language that are easily understood by non-technical personnel (e.g., laypersons without subject matter expertise).

The Contractor shall notify the COR in writing at least 5 business days before the deliverable is due, if that deliverable cannot be provided within the scheduled time frame. Notification shall detail the specific reasons for the delay, the mitigation efforts taken to minimize the delay, and the proposed revised schedule.

The Government will review and provide comment and/or acceptance of all deliverables within seven (7) business days of delivery, unless otherwise noted in the delivery schedule.

Deliverables Schedule

CDRL TITLE DISTRIBUTION DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

A0001 Program Management Review (PMR)

Deliver Virtually to CO, COR, and GLAP II Course Manager

Quarterly

Format: Microsoft PowerPoint

A0002 Program Management Review (PMR) Pre-meeting agenda brief

Deliver Electronically to CO, COR, and GLAP II Course Manager

Agenda brief No Later Than (NTL) 5 business days prior to

PMR

Format: Microsoft Word

A0003 Program Management Review (PMR) Post-meeting minutes

Deliver Electronically to CO, COR, and GLAP II Course Manager

Post-meeting minutes NLT 5 business days after PMR

Format: Microsoft Word

A0004 Course Catalog Deliver Electronically to CO, COR, and GLAP II Course Manager

With proposal submission; as needed for revisions

Format: Microsoft Excel

A0005 Syllabus Deliver Electronically to GLAP II Course Manager

NLT 30 business days prior to start of course

Format: Microsoft Word

A0006 Course Materials Deliver to GLAP II Course Manager

NLT 7 business days prior to start of course

Format: Hard-Copies (if needed) will be mailed; Soft Copies will be delivered electronically

A0007 Course Completion Report

Deliver Electronically to GLAP II Course Manager

NLT 10 business days after end of course

Format: Microsoft Word

A0008 Virtual Course Delivery Recordings

Deliver Electronically to GLAP II Course Manager

NLT 14 calendar days after course end date

A0009 Course Instruction Deliver via defined delivery method

Per Course Call Order

A0010 Invoices Deliver Electronically to CO, COR, and FMFO

NLT 45 calendar days after course end date

Format: Adobe PDF

6 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Document Number

Section Title Location

1 2 USGIF Accreditation https://usgif.org/education/ 2 2 UCGIS Membership https://www.ucgis.org 3 2 U.S. Dept of Education

Accreditation https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation

APPENDIX A

SUBJECT AREAS OF STUDY

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, more specifically, computer systems to include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using rules to reach conclusions), and self-correction. This subject area should include courses on AI Ethics, responsible use of AI, and frameworks for ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI applications.

The following list includes courses currently provided to NGA but is not comprehensive, Contractors are encouraged to add more GEOINT courses.

GEOINT Responsible AI Training: This course provides an opportunity to explore and apply tenets of responsible AI from the DoD and IC Artificial Intelligence ethical framework as they apply to GEOINT. This course shall challenge students to learn, demonstrate, and share approaches for ensuring that AI capabilities produced, and the way they are produced, meet DoD and ODNI policy guidance, yield consistent quality, and build trust in GEOINT AI outputs.

Introduction to Generative AI: This foundational course covers the fundamentals of generative AI, including techniques like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), and explains how these models can generate, enhance, and analyze geospatial data.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) with Large Language Models (LLMs): This course covers generative AI techniques used in large language models and how to integrate NLP with geospatial data. Topics include using LLMs to automatically generate reports from imagery analysis, summarize findings, and provide context to detected patterns or anomalies.

Concepts of Artificial Intelligence: Introductory to the main foundational concepts and techniques used in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including representation, search, inference, and machine learning.

Artificial Intelligence - Representation and Problem Solving: Theory and practice of Artificial Intelligence that covers the study of modern techniques for computers to represent task-relevant information and make intelligent (i.e., satisficing or optimal) decisions towards the achievement of goals.

Artificial Intelligence Strategy: Exploration of the evolution of AI and its technologies as well as a discovery of why it is important to have an AI strategy and when to adopt one.

Artificial Intelligence – Implications for Business Strategy: Provides a focus on key AI technologies (e.g., machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics), business insights, case examples, and organizational-focused project and an emphasis on how the collective intelligence of people and computers together can solve business problems that not long ago were considered impossible.

BATHYMETRY

The measurement and characterization of depth and bottom features under a body of water. The data is collected by direct measurement, blue/green imaging, sonar, and specialized radar.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Fundamentals of Ocean Mapping: Covers the principles and practices of hydrography and ocean mapping; methods for the measurement and definition of the configuration of the bottoms and adjacent land areas of oceans, lakes, rivers, estuaries, harbors, and other water areas, and the tides or water levels and currents that occur in those bodies of water.

Geodesy and Positioning for Ocean Mapping: Covers the science and technology of acquiring, managing, and displaying geographically referenced information, the size and shape of the earth, datums and projections, determination of precise positioning of points on the earth and the sea, including classical terrestrial-based methods and satellite-based methods, shoreline, mapping, nautical charting and electronic charts.

Ocean Waves and Tides: Provides and introduction to waves to include instruction on small-amplitude, linear wave theory, standing and propagating waves, transformation in shallow water, energy and forces on structures, generation by wind and specification of a random sea, long waves with rotation, and internal waves. Course also provides an introduction to tides that incorporates description of tides in ocean tidal generation forces, equilibrium tide, and tidal analysis.

COMPUTER VISION

The processing of visual information by a computer and is a form of artificial intelligence that creates a symbolic description of images that are generally inputted from a video camera or sensor to convert the images to digital form.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Computer Vision: Processes involved in the formation of images of visual scenes, of how computational approaches for transforming, estimating or recognizing such images are formulated and implemented, and of where these methods can and have been applied.

Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision: Fundamental issues and paradigms with computer vision and pattern recognition and is divided into three (3) phases:

low-level vision, intermediate-level vision, and high-level recognition vision.

DATA ANALYTICS & VISUALIZATION

Analyzing, visualizing, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful GEOINT information, suggested conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Utilizes and compares “big data” to perform large-scale computations within and between data sets resulting in the discovery and visualization of new GEOINT information not easily identified with simple searches.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Spatial Thinking and Data Analytics: Explores the role that spatial thinking plays across a variety of subject areas in science, engineering, mathematics, arts, and humanities. Introduces geospatial data from government agencies, social media, and semantic web. Introductory methods in spatial data analytics afforded by Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and mapping technologies and learn how to bring spatial considerations into research and applications.

Spatial Modeling and Geocomputation: Explores machine learning techniques with large spatial datasets and methods used to analyze and model spatio-temporal data and dynamic spatial systems.

Data Visualization: Introduction to graphical design and data visualization that focuses on the cognitive ergonomics of human visual information processing, and the underlying design concepts to maximize interpretability; as well as develop exploratory data visualization skills.

Cartography and Visualization: Principles of visual perception, spatial cognition, and cartographic design and their contributions to maps, animations, virtual reality and multimedia displays produced with modern GIS.

DATA MODELING

The use of computers to describe the behavior of a system and the physical objects and the spatial relationships among them mathematically.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Linear Statistical Models in Business (Data Models and Business Decisions):

Model building involving the study of the general linear stochastic model and the applications of this model to business problems.

Data Modeling in Geoscience: Investigation into statistical methods used to model and analyze spatial processes and data where such topics as regression methods, multivariate methods and cluster analysis will be covered.

Database Design and Data Modeling: Covers concepts in data modeling and their creation and management and includes instruction on how to represent business information using data mapping and data modeling.

Statistical Data Modeling Methods: Introduction to new techniques to perform statistical analysis to include discussion on such topics as robust estimation, exploratory analysis of data and statistical methods of data modeling.

GEOMATICS/GEODESY/GEODETIC ENGINEERING & SURVEYING

Geomatics: The discipline of gathering, storing, processing, and delivering of geospatial data. The use of geospatial technology to survey and capture geospatial measurements.

Geodesy: The scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the earth, its gravitational field, and other geodynamic phenomena, such as crustal motion, oceanic tides, and polar motion.

Geodetic Engineering and Surveying: The science and study of magnetic and gravimetric data (which have an impact on geo-positional systems), navigation tools, surveying, and systems of map grids and coordinate systems.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Geomatics: Introduces angle, distance and elevation measurement, as applied to engineering, boundary location, topography, forest management and construction.

Geomatics for GIS: Designed to present Geomatics data concepts tools, and their connections.

Advanced Surveying: Provides development in precise leveling, construction layout, static GPS, site detail mapping with RTK, level adjustment, 3D GPS network adjustment.

Introduction to Geospatial Science and Tech: Introduction to the theory and practice of spatial science and technology using the scientific method as a learning gateway.

GEOSPATIAL DATA MANAGEMENT

Management of the development, approval, and population of geospatial data within NGA’s feature/geospatial information database to ensure that it can satisfy customer requirements. Requires knowledge of a wide range of products and solid understanding of the capabilities of various systems used to support the extraction, analysis, and finishing of in-house, co-production, commodity, and contract data.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Digital Terrain Mapping: Methods for acquiring and representing digital terrain models (DTM)

Map Projections: Mathematical formulae by which geographical coordinates, representing positions on Earth (i.e., latitude and longitude) are transformed to plane coordinates that locate positions on two-dimensional products.

Geospatial Technology Project Management: Practitioner’s perspective of geospatial technology project management.

GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS

Geospatial Information identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the earth and includes statistical data;

information derived from remote sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies; and mapping, charting, geodetic data, and related products. Geospatial Information can be separated into seven major categories.

• Aeronautical: Safety of Navigation information such as vertical obstructions, no-fly zones, flight routes, approach procedures, airfield infrastructure and lay-out, and aeronautical charts.

• Maritime: Safety of Navigation information such as shipping routes, underwater obstructions, sailing restrictions, port infrastructure and layout, approach procedures, and nautical charts.

• Topographic: Safety of Navigation information such as trafficability and obstacles to movement, and other ground/surface feature-related information including infrastructure (roads, power grids), man-made features, population data, vegetation, and hydrography. Topography may also include connectivity of network elements within a geospatial database that allow for ground-based routing, navigation, and hydrology flow.

• Elevation: Information about the height of objects on or in relation to the Earth. Elevation data includes heights of objects above the surface of the Earth (spaceborne and airborne), on the surface of the Earth (buildings and physical relief), and below the surface (bathymetry and underground facilities).

• Human Geography: A social science discipline based on analyzing the interconnections between people and places, including patterns of human activities, in the context of their environment. It also seeks to explain how actions taken in one place/population can impact another place/population.

Human Geography includes sub-disciplines such as: population geography, political geography, cultural geography, and religious/ethnic geography.

• Geographic Names and Boundaries: Names and boundaries of cities, towns, provinces, regions, states, and countries. Identification of major landmarks, facilities, and buildings.

• Geodetic: Magnetic and gravimetric data (which have an impact on geo-positional systems), navigation tools, surveying, and systems of map grids and coordinate systems.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

• Modeling and Mapping Hazards to Aeronautical Operations – Students will survey a range of various hazard models that utilize geographic information systems (GIS) and other mapping strategies to simulate the impacts of both natural and manmade disasters.

• Geodesy for Ocean Mapping – Students will understand how to precisely know the Earth’s shape, gravity field, and orientation in space to develop precise positioning and navigation required for ocean mapping. Data used for this purpose include satellite-based positioning, gravity measurements, and ground surveys. Reference frames can then be created allowing the integration of geometric observations for the creation of mapping products.

• Cartography: Maps and Map Construction – Emphases in this course shall be on designing and producing both thematic and reference maps that use symbols and visual hierarchies which allow the content of the maps to be readily understood. In addition to principles of graphic design, students learn about map projections, generalization, and data classification, with the objective of becoming proficient mapmakers.

• Advanced Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis – A detailed treatment of advanced remote sensing and geospatial theory and methods including Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA), LIDAR processing and derivatives, advanced classification algorithms, measurements and sensors, and data transforms, data fusion, multi-temporal analysis, and empirical modeling. In-class activities shall be used to apply the course topics to real-world problems.

• Human Geography of the Middle East – a review and cartographic demonstration of habitat types, modes of livelihood, and ethnic distribution.

Students present reports on selected aspects of human geography.

GIS & ANALYSIS TOOLS

Computer-based system to aid in the collection, maintenance, storage, analysis, output, and distribution of spatial data and GEOINT information. GIS software provides the tools to manage, analyze, and effectively display and disseminate spatial information.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

• Advanced GIS – Advanced geospatial science and technology theory and skills.

• Programming for GIS – Programming topics necessary for gaining the ability and knowledge to develop software applications in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Making Maps that Matter with GIS – Meaningful applications of GIS to reveal key topics across the spectrum of industry sectors defined by the U.S.

Department of Labor in its Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM): Positioning and Data Acquisition, Analysis and Modeling, and Software and App Development.

• Introductions to GIS and Cartography – Introductory to the major concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and cartography.

MACHINE LEARNING

The subfield of artificial intelligence that is concerned with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers (machines) to improve their performance over time (to learn) based on data, such as from sensor data or databases.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Data Engineering Concepts and Designs: Teaches essential concepts in data engineering, focusing on scalable system design, accessibility, and monitoring practices to support robust machine learning workflows.

Machine Learning and Data Science: Theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience in solving real-world problems in data science through the application of machine learning and data mining.

Scientific Data Mining for Geo-informatics: Specialized data mining algorithms, geoscience data models, and data information systems.

Spatial Computing: Theoretical foundations, methods, techniques, and software systems for spatial computing, including geospatial semantic web and linked data, spatial data mining, geocoding, and document linking.

Applied Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Introductory to the fundamental principles and applications of the most commonly used machine learning and deep learning techniques such as regression, classification, clustering methods, fundamental principle of deep learning and transferring learning.

REMOTE SENSING & IMAGERY ANALYSIS

The measurement or acquisition of information of an object or phenomenon by a recording device that is not in physical or intimate contact with the object and refers to the process of acquiring information about the surface and atmosphere of the earth by using various imaging sensors onboard airborne or space-borne platforms.

The following course examples are for illustration purposes only:

Remote Sensing: Fundamentals of remote sensing, including the principles of electromagnetic radiation, wave theory, the concept of blackbody, how energy interacts with the atmosphere and terrestrial objects, and the principles of feature/object identification based upon spectral properties.

Aerial Photographic Interpretation: Introduction to the principles and techniques utilized t interpret aerial photography. Emphasis is on interpreting analog photographs visually in a range of application areas; also includes an introduction to acquiring and analyzing aerial photographic data digitally.

Exploring Imagery and Elevation Data in GIS Applications: Introductory of the use of remotely sensed imagery and terrain data in typical GIS application by the geospatial professional.

Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications: Remotely sensed imagery and elevation data in geospatial applications.