Reston, Va. - Prior to the start of the MAPPS-ASPRS Joint Specialty Conference Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Tampa, Fla., three important workshops will be presented that may contribute to continuing professional development of geospatial practitioners and contracting officers. The workshops include Licensing of Photogrammetrists and Other Geospatial Practitioners, QBS Contracting for Geospatial Services and Preparing Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) for Geospatial Contract Negotiations. The workshops have been designed for procurement officers at the Federal, state and local level and private practice professionals and firm personnel involved in marketing, business development and contract administration.

The Licensing workshop will focus on legislation and regulations adopted at the state level, defining a variety of photogrammetry, LiDAR, orthophoto, GIS and other geospatial activities as the practice of surveying, subject to state license. Many individuals may be unknowingly practicing surveying without a license. The workshop will review the NCEES Model Law, the status of current licensing laws in the 50 states, efforts by geospatial organizations to affect laws and legislations and proposed alternate solutions. The workshop will also discuss differences between licensure and certification, as well as assist firms and practitioners in determining if they are in compliance with applicable laws.

A workshop focused on QBS Contracting for Geospatial Services will be instructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will review the background of the qualifications-based selection (QBS) process for procurement of professional services. Topics covered will include the principal requirements of the Brooks Act and similar state laws, and provide details on all phases of implementing a successful contracting process, including acquisition planning, scopes of work, public notification, full and open competition, evaluation and selection, negotiations, contract award, contract management and administration.

Those in need of professional services will generally need to rely on the professional service providers to dictate "methods" because they are experts most familiar with the technology. It is incumbent on government managers to clearly identify their needs, the project scope and know how to ask the right questions so the best services and data are procured to assure a fee and value that is fair and reasonable to the government. Technicians and managers in government not involved daily in these pursuits may find it difficult to procure or administer projects for these professional services. The workshop on Preparing Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) for Geospatial Contract Negotiations is designed to assist technicians and managers in government to understand the significance of factors involved in procuring or administering geospatial professional data and services, provide guidance on developing independent government cost estimates for contract negotiations and help identify the right questions to ask of service providers to describe their needs without having to dictate the methods required to meet those needs.

Workshop registration is separate from the main conference.  An individual is not required to register for the main conference in order to attend a workshop. To view the preliminary program and to register, visit the conference website, www.asprs.org/Conferences/Tampa-2012.