The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) released a draft “Guidelines for Procurement of Professional Aerial Imagery, Photogrammetry, Lidar and Related Remote Sensor-based Geospatial Mapping Services.”  The material is considered DRAFT FOR REVIEW and is being published at this time to encourage wide dissemination and comment.

The Guidelines were prepared by the ASPRS Procurement Guidelines Committee, an ad hoc committee appointed by the ASPRS leadership.  The Committee, chaired by Doug Smith, ASPRS Professional Practice Division Director, includes representation from the ASPRS Professional Practices Division, ASPRS members from state and federal government, the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM).  The intent of these Guidelines is to provide public agencies, researchers, private entities and other organizations with a resource they can use as a guide to help determine the best approach and methodology for procuring photogrammetry and related remote sensor-based geospatial mapping services.

Developed over the past two years, the document provides a definition of “Professional Services” along with detailed procurement guidelines and recommendations.  Once approved by the ASPRS Board, this document will supersede the now outdated ASPRS document entitled “Guidelines for Procurement of Photogrammetric Services from Private Professional Sources” originally adopted in 1986 and published in 1987 (see Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing (PE&RS), Vol. 53, pp 207-212).

A copy of the draft updated Guidelines will appear in the forthcoming November issue of Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing (PE&RS) and is available online atwww.asprs.org/guidelines.  Interested parties may submit comments by email toguidelines@asprsno later than January 15, 2009. The current plan is to review all comments and finalize the document for ASPRS Board approval at its March 13, 2009 meeting.