Hot News Items - January 2006

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS:
California Framework Data Draft Plan
DEADLINE: JANUARY 18, 2006
As a companion activity to the California Framework Data Survey, the California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is partnering with the US Geological Survey, the California Resources Agency and the California GIS Council (with funding from the USGS and Federal Geographic Data Committee) to develop a Geospatial Framework Draft Data Plan for California. It is intended that CGIA will work with these partners and the larger California GIS community to develop geospatial framework data plans that support the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. To accomplish this, CGIA is distributing this Request for Qualifications to find a highly qualified firm(s) to assist in developing the draft Plan and conducting and documenting associated Outreach workshops across the State. The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to retain an experienced firm(s) to conduct interagency and public outreach and develop a Draft Geospatial Framework Data plan for the State of California. This RFQ is intended to solicit a Prime Contractor/Team and assisting contractors if any. The Prime Contractor/Team will work with contractors providing assistance as follows: (1) The Prime Contractor/Team will take the lead in planning and conducting all project activities, and (2). Assisting contractors, if any, will provide backup support as directed by the Prime Contractor/Team.

National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program Grant Opportunities
Deadline: February 1
The National Geospatial Programs Office (NGPO) of the US Geological survey will be formally announcing the 2006 NSDI Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP) in December 2005. The CAP grant provides seed funds to assist organizations in implementing the components of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). Eligible activities include participating in the NSDI Clearinghouse Network, Geospatial One-Stop portal, National Map collaborative programs, web service interoperability, geospatial organizational collaboration, metadata documentation and harvesting, and framework theme standards. The CAP is open to all U.S. organizations. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) sponsors the CAP to promote the technologies, standards, best practices and organizational collaboration vital to data integration, partnerships for data investment and speedy delivery of geospatial products to support government. The FGDC consists of 19 Federal agencies in collaboration with State, local and Tribal governments, academic, non-profit and the private organizations. The FGDC Secretariat is hosted by the NGPO. Application information, funding categories and materials describing the CAP program and past year's projects can be found on-line at the FGDC website. Application materials can be accessed on-line at the FGDC website and Grants.gov. The CAP Grant closes on February 1, 2006. For more information, contact David Painter at (703) 648-5513 or .

Here is more information on the awards:

CALL FOR PAPERS & FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
Abstract submission deadline January 31
International Conference in GIS and Health: Geospatial Research and Application Frontiers in Environmental and Public Health Systems (GRAFEPHS 2006)
27-29 June 2006, Hong Kong
Sponsored by The Croucher Foundation, Hong Kong
This 3-day conference, organized by Department of Geography, HKU and the State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems (LREIS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, will provide a forum for geospatial experts, practicing epidemiologists, statisticians, environmentalists, toxicologists, and public health physicians concerned with the impact of environmental exposures on the health of populations to chart their research paths and agenda.

Objectives of the conference:

• Improving the ability of those concerned in identifying environmental priorities and improving public health planning policy
  
• Assisting the consolidation of different research ideas and development directions
  
• Fostering possible international research and applied collaborations
  
• Assembling scholarly works for publication in conference proceedings or special reports
  
• Making recommendations to the government departments and health organizations in Hong Kong and other countries on infrastructural and other requirements for public and environmental health control.

Papers using GIS and Geospatial techniques in the following areas are encouraged:

• Epidemiological catastrophe
  
• Environmental modeling and disease occurrences
  
• Population and public health disease surveillance
  
• Health care planning
  
• Methodological issues of GIS in health
  
• Technical perspectives of GIS in health
  
• Local case study
  
• Future trends

How to Submit: Abstract submission form is available at http://geog.hku.hk/HealthGIS2006. The paper presenter is required to submit the form by email with the subject heading of "Abstract Submission" to Miss Kawin Chan at by 31 January 2006.

Acceptance as paper presenter does not indicate automatic registration for the Conference. Payment for registration fee by paper presenter is required upon acceptance of abstract. Further instruction for full paper submission will be given upon acceptance of abstract. For complete conference information, please visit http://geog.hku.hk/HealthGIS2006.

Free ESRI Virtual Seminar, January 26: Understanding Spatial Statistics
Presented Live, these free training seminars are focused lectures on a variety of GIS topics for all levels of users. On January 26, ESRI is presenting Understanding Spatial Statistics in ArcGIS 9 at 9am, 11am and 3 pm (PST). For more information

ESRI ArcGIS User Group Locations
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI users to share their experiences with each other, exchange best practices, and learn about new technology. These groups are very effective for new as well as experienced users. Topics range from entry level to advance. Each meeting offers a focused, education-based agenda. Register now for the upcoming meeting in your area:

• Chico Area ESRI User Group Meeting
  Tuesday, January 10, 2006, Chico, CA
• Orange County ESRI User Group Meeting
  Wednesday, January 11, 2006, Anaheim, CA
• Coachella Valley ESRI User Group Meeting
  Thursday, January 19, 2006, Palm Desert, CA
• Sacramento ArcGIS User Group Meeting
  Thursday, January 19, 2006, Sacramento, CA
  

Contaminant Chemistry and Transport in Soil and Groundwater Training: See the training flyer for more details.
January 25 - 26, 2006, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (2 Days)
Courtyard Los Angeles Old Pasadena
180 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, California
This course provides participants with an overview of key concepts essential to understanding environmental contamination and provides a fundamental understanding of the release and transport of chemicals in soil and groundwater. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists, but who require a fundamental understanding of contaminant behavior and monitoring parameters for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in this subject. The course material will greatly enhance on-the-job training. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject.

CGIA Becomes Active at CALGIS Conference - April 5-7, 2006:
The CGIA Board is collaborating with CALGIS planners to create two panels for the leadership track. One panel will review the progress and lessons learned from CGIA' s recent CAP Grant implementations on metadata training and data sharing. A second panel will focus on the accomplishments and lessons learned from several of California's most active regional collaboratives. Be sure to look for these programs on the leadership track the 12th Annual CALGIS Conference in Santa Barbara from April 5, 6, and 7, 2006. A substantial discount for early registration to the conference can still be obtained by completing the registration form at http://www.calgis.org/registration.htm.

Have you joined CGIA for the 2006-07 year? If not, what are you waiting for?

CGIA extends a special "Thank You" to the California Resources Agency for their hosting of our web site. This special arrangement reflects the close working relationship that exists between our two organizations and our mutual interests in using geospatial technologies to improve government services.