Geospatial Information: OMB and Agencies Need to Make Coordination a Priority to Reduce DuplicationGAO is making recommendations aimed at improving coordination and reducing duplication, to include FGDC developing a national strategy for coordinating geospatial investments; federal agencies following federal guidance for managing geospatial investments; and OMB developing a mechanism to identify and report on geospatial investments. Two agencies and OMB generally agreed with GAO's recommendations and one agency neither agreed nor disagreed.The federal government collects, maintains, and uses geospatial information--information linked to specific geographic locations--to support many functions, including national security and disaster response. In 2012, the Department of the Interior (Interior) estimated that the federal government invests billions of dollars on geospatial data annually, and that duplication is common. GAO was asked to determine the extent to which the federal government has established and effectively implemented policies and procedures for coordinating its geospatial investments and avoiding duplication. To do so, GAO focused on FGDC coordination activities; efforts within the departments of Commerce, the Interior, and Transportation; and OMB oversight. GAO reviewed FGDC and department documentation, such as policies, procedures, and strategic plans; OMB guidance and an executive order; and reports concerning duplicative investments.Government Accountability OfficeGAO_c090eb6a-92df-11df-b499-6b157a64ea2aDavid A. Powner GAO ContactFederal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)OMBDepartment of CommerceDepartment of the InteriorDepartment of Transportation_33dcde28-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eTo determine the extent to which the federal government has established and effectively implemented policies and procedures for coordinating its geospatial investments and avoiding duplication._33dce1ac-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672ePortfolio ManagementEstablish a time frame for completing a plan to facilitate the implementation of OMB's portfolio management guidance_33dce2c4-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e1Department of the InteriorTo better facilitate the coordination of--and accountability for--the estimated billions of dollars in federal geospatial investments, and to reduce duplication, the Secretary of the Interior, as the FGDC chair should establish a time frame for completing a plan to facilitate the implementation of OMB's portfolio management guidance, and develop and implement the plan within the established time frame. The plan, at a minimum, should include goals and performance measures, and the FGDC should report annually to OMB on the progress made on efforts to improve coordination and reduce duplication among themes._33dce38c-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeospatial InvestmentsDevelop and implement guidance for identifying planned geospatial investments using the Geospatial Platform_33dce45e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e2Department of the InteriorTo better facilitate the coordination of--and accountability for--the estimated billions of dollars in federal geospatial investments, and to reduce duplication, the Secretary of the Interior, as the FGDC chair should develop and implement guidance for identifying planned geospatial investments using the Geospatial Platform, and establish a time frame for doing so. _33dce530-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eStrategic PlanCreate and update a strategic plan to improve coordination and reduce duplication._33dce602-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3Department of the InteriorTo better facilitate the coordination of--and accountability for--the estimated billions of dollars in federal geospatial investments, and to reduce duplication, the Secretary of the Interior, as the FGDC chair should establish a time frame for creating and updating a strategic plan to improve coordination and reduce duplication, and create and implement the plan within the established time frame. The plan, at a minimum, should include (1) a vision statement for the NSDI; (2) outcome-oriented goals and objectives that address all aspects of the NSDI; (3) a description of how the goals and objectives are to be achieved, including a description of the resources needed to achieve the goals and objectives and how the FGDC is to work with other agencies to achieve them; (4) performance measures for achieving the stated goals; and (5) external factors that could affect the achievement of the goals and objectives.VisionInclude a vision statement for the NSDI_33dce6d4-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3.1Goals & ObjectiveInclude outcome-oriented goals and objectives that address all aspects of the NSDI_33dce7a6-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3.2Resources & PartnershipsInclude a description of how the goals and objectives are to be achieved, including a description of the resources needed to achieve the goals and objectives and how the FGDC is to work with other agencies to achieve them_33dce882-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3.3Performance MeasuresInclude performance measures for achieving the stated goals_33dce95e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3.4External FactorsInclude external factors that could affect the achievement of the goals and objectives_33dcea3a-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e3.5Senior Geospatial OfficialDesignate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues_33dceb16-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e4Department of CommerceTo help ensure the success of department's efforts to improve geospatial coordination and reduce duplication, the Secretary of Commerce should designate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues._33dcec38-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eStrategyPrepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to the Department of Commerce' mission_33dced1e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e5Department of CommerceSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of Commerce should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to its mission._33dcee04-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeospatial MetadataDevelop a policy that requires the Department of Commerce to make its geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse_33dceefe-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e6Department of CommerceTo help ensure the success of department's efforts to improve geospatial coordination and reduce duplication, the Secretary of Commerce should designate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues to develop a policy that requires the department to make its geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse._33dcefee-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eNSDI ClearinghouseDevelop and implement internal procedures to ensure that the Department of Commerce accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data _33dcf0de-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e7Department of CommerceSenior Geospatial OfficialTo help ensure the success of department's efforts to improve geospatial coordination and reduce duplication, the Secretary of Commerce should designate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues to develop and implement internal procedures to ensure that it accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data to determine (1) whether the information has already been collected by others and (2) whether cooperative efforts to obtain the data are possible._33dcf1ec-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeodetic Control Theme StandardsCreate and implement a plan to develop and implement geodetic control theme standards_33dcf2e6-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e8Department of CommerceFurther, to improve the department's management of its geodetic control theme, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the geodetic control theme point of contact to create and implement a plan to develop and implement geodetic control theme standards._33dcf3ea-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eStrategyPrepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to the Department of the Interior's mission_33dcf502-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e9Department of the InteriorSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to its mission._33dcf606-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeospatial Metadata Make the Department of the Interior's geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse_33dcf78c-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e10Department of the InteriorSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to develop a policy that requires the department to make its geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse._33dcf8b8-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eNSDI ClearinghouseDevelop and implement internal procedures to ensure the Department of the Interior accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data_33dcf9c6-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e11Department of the InteriorSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to develop and implement internal procedures to ensure that it accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data to determine (1) whether the information has already been collected by others and (2) whether cooperative efforts to obtain the data are possible._33dcfade-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eHydrography Datasets Prepare goals relating to all datasets within the hydrography theme that support the NSDI_33dcfc1e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e12Department of the InteriorThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the hydrography theme point of contact to prepare goals relating to all datasets within the hydrography theme that support the NSDI, and as needed, collect and analyze information from user needs and include those needs in the theme-related goals._33dcfd36-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eHydrography PlanDevelop and implement a plan for the nationwide population of the hydrography theme_33dcfe58-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e13Department of the InteriorThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the hydrography theme point of contact to develop and implement a plan for the nationwide population of the hydrography theme that addresses all datasets within the theme; and that includes (1) the development of partnership programs with states, tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal agencies, and localities that meet the needs of users; (2) human and financial resource needs; (3) standards, metadata, and the clearinghouse needs; and (4) a timetable for the development for the theme.PartnershipsInclude the development of partnership programs with states, tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal agencies, and localities that meet the needs of users_33dcffa2-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e13.1StatesTribes Academia Private Sector Federal Agencies LocalitiesResourcesInclude human and financial resource needs_33dd00ce-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e13.2Standards, Metadata & ClearinghouseInclude standards, metadata, and the clearinghouse needs_33dd01fa-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e13.3TimetableInclude a timetable for the development for the theme._33dd034e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e13.4Hydrography Theme StandardsCreate and implement a plan to develop and implement hydrography theme standards_33dd048e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e14Department of the InteriorThe Secretary of the Interior should direct the hydrography theme point of contact to create and implement a plan to develop and implement hydrography theme standards._33dd05ce-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eSenior Geospatial OfficialDesignate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues_33dd0740-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e15Department of TransportationThe Secretary of Transportation should designate a senior agency official who has departmentwide responsibility, accountability, and authority for geospatial information issues._33dd0880-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eStrategyPrepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to the Department of Transportation's mission_33dd09ca-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e16Department of TransportationSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of Transportation should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to its mission._33dd0b3c-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeospatial Metadata Develop a policy that requires the Department of Transportation to make its geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse_33dd0c86-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e17Department of TransportationThe Secretary of Transportation should direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to develop a policy that requires the department to make its geospatial metadata available on the clearinghouse._33dd0dda-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eNSDI ClearinghouseDevelop and implement internal procedures to ensure that it accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data_33dd0f56-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e18Department of TransportationSenior Geospatial OfficialThe Secretary of Transportation direct the designated senior official for geospatial information to develop and implement internal procedures to ensure that it accesses the NSDI clearinghouse before it expends funds to collect or produce new geospatial data to determine (1) whether the information has already been collected by others and (2) whether cooperative efforts to obtain the data are possible._33dd10b4-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eTransportation ThemePrepare goals relating to all datasets within the transportation theme that support the NSDI_33dd1212-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e19Department of TransportationThe Secretary of Transportation should direct the transportation theme point of contact to prepare goals relating to all datasets within the transportation theme that support the NSDI, and as needed, collect and analyze information from user needs and include those needs in the theme-related goals._33dd13a2-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eTransportation ThemeDevelop and implement a plan for the nationwide population of the transportation theme_33dd150a-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e20Department of TransportationThe Secretary of Transportation should direct the transportation theme point of contact to develop and implement a plan for the nationwide population of the transportation theme that addresses all datasets within the theme; and that includes (1) the development of partnership programs with states, tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal agencies,and localities that meet the needs of users; (2) human and financial resource needs; (3) standards, metadata, and the clearinghouse needs; and (4) a timetable for the development for the theme.PartnershipsInclude the development of partnership programs with states, tribes, academia, the private sector, other federal agencies,and localities that meet the needs of users_33dd1672-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e20.1StatesTribesAcademiaPrivate Sector Federal Agencies LocalitiesResourcesInclude human and financial resource needs_33dd183e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e20.2Standards, Metadata & ClearinghouseInclude standards, metadata, and the clearinghouse needs_33dd19ba-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e20.3TimetableInclude a timetable for the development for the theme_33dd1b2c-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e20.4Transportation Theme StandardsCreate and implement a plan to develop and implement transportation theme standards_33dd1ce4-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e21Department of TransportationThe Secretary of Transportation should direct the transportation theme point of contact to create and implement a plan to develop and implement transportation theme standards._33dd1ece-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672eGeospatial InvestmentsDevelop a mechanism, or modify existing mechanisms, to identify and report annually on all geospatial related investments_33dd205e-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e22Executive Office of the PresidentOffice of Management and BudgetTo improve OMB oversight of geospatial information and assets, and minimize duplication of federal geospatial investments, the Director of OMB should develop a mechanism, or modify existing mechanisms, to identify and report annually on all geospatial related investments, including dollars invested and the nature of the investment._33dd220c-3d04-11e2-8cbb-aaeb73e3672e2012-11-262012-12-02http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-94OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net