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RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
KEY ELEMENTS OF A PARTNERSHIP
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Benefits of spatial data partnerships must be evaluated for the entire national community of spatial data users, not merely for the agencies participating in the partnership.
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The contribution of spatial data partnerships to the wider objectives of NSDI must be considered in its design and management.
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Data quality is an important factor in the value of any investment in spatial data. Potential users will be confident using data only if they know the data are reliable.
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Stewardship is a key concern in reaping the benefits of investment in any spatial data partnership; the agency closest to the source of the data is likely the organization best able to maintain the data.
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An essential element of the NSDI partnership model must be a commitment to support the partnerships as part of an ongoing program. Long-term commitments will help insure data are maintained and that mutual trust in the ability of the partners to meet respective needs will be achieved.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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The size and diversity of the federal establishment suggest that viable partnerships will require focal points within the federal govern#
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ment for coordinating data production and partnership activities. The range of alternatives to consider should include regional coordination staff and coordinating positions within organizations responsible for spatial data production. Stewardship responsibilities for base (framework) data sets specific to geographic areas should be encouraged. The practicality of a data stewardship certification program should be studied. The clearing-house function should catalogue base data and their availability through data stewards.
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Clear guidelines for cost sharing in partnerships need to be developed. The formulation of such guidelines should be one component of the FGDC's role in NSDI. Guidelines should reflect the responsibility of the federal government to address and fund the nation's interest in NSDI.
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It is imperative that states and other organizations be involved in the standards development process and that only standards essential to NSDI objectives be required of partnership agreements. Promulgation and maintenance of standards is an important component of the FGDC's role in NSDI; standards must not be compromised in the formation of partnerships.
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Incentives are needed to encourage partnerships that are designed to maximize use and benefits to the broader user community. Such incentives could be provided through the monitoring and coordinating roles of the FGDC and state geographic information councils.
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The Federal Geographic Data Committee should investigate the extent to which federal procurement rules (and future revisions resulting from the National Performance Review) are an impediment to the formation of spatial data partnerships, and identify steps that can be taken to ease them.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the MSC finds that the FGDC, federal agencies, and state geographic information councils are making positive contributions to the evolution of the NSDI. The MSC further identifies the partnership
model and approach as one of the key components of the enhanced NSDI. This report encourages the acceleration of partnership activities and identifies probable areas that will need attention to ensure success. The single largest challenge will be for many organizations to move from predominately production activities to accomplishing objectives through partnerships. This will necessarily mean that organizational tactical plans be reviewed and modified to achieve the objectives of a more robust NSDI.