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    Aerial Imagery & Lidar Services

    The Aerial Imagery and Lidar Services Master Contract Program (Program) is designed to provide aerial imagery and/or aerial lidar data collection with associated derived products and data processing services to support a wide variety of geospatial business needs. This Program is available for use by State of Minnesota agencies and other government units eligible under the state's Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPVs) established pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 16C.03, subdivision 10. Entities eligible to participate under the cooperative purchasing venture are described in Minnesota Statute § 16C.105. 
     
    The primary objective of the Program is to provide  aerial imagery and/or aerial lidar data collection as well as other benefits, including:
    • Pre-approved Vendors qualified to perform Aerial Imagery and Lidar data collection services
    • Pre-established contract terms and requirements at the Master Contract level
    • Greater consistency and streamlined administrative process
    • Cost avoidance by leveraged economies of scale
    • Quality Assurance by pre-qualified vendors
    • Reduced time to engage services
     
    The following contractors have been awarded master contracts in the Aerial Imagery and Lidar categories. Click on the category to see eligible Contractors. Select contractor name to review contractor-specific information and cost data.

    How do I utilize the program?

    First, determine your eligibility to use the program. You must be a state agency or a member of the State's Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) program. Second, determine the estimated total cost of the transaction. For transactions estimated to cost up to $25,000, including amendments, a user may select directly from the list of eligible master contract holders using the Engagement Request (ER) method. The ER method is a simple process allowed when a transaction will not exceed $25,000 in total cost. For transactions estimated to cost in excess of $25,000, including amendments, a user is required to competitively select a contractor using the "Call Method." A "Call Method" is a simple process in which the user "calls" for proposals or responses from all master contract holders eligible to perform the service defined in the "Call." For best results and value, a user may also consider using the Call method to select a contractor regardless of estimated dollar value, including transactions estimated to cost $25,000 or less.
     
    An agency/member must engage all of the Vendors listed on the Program’s page that are approved to perform the services you are procuring. No work may begin until funds are encumbered and the Work Order Contract is fully executed. All Work Order Contracts under this Program are 3 signature Work Orders, meaning the vendor, agency/CPV member, and the Department of Administration must sign the Work Order before work can begin.
     
    1. An agency/member must complete and electronically submit a Request for Offer (RFO) and Work Order Certification (Work Order Certification not required for CPV Members) to PT.Contracts@state.mn.us via DocuSign. 
    2. OSP will assign a 21AIL tracking number and review and return the originating RFO document and certification (state agencies only) with tracking number to the agency/member via e-mail. OSP will identify any required modifications to the RFO at this time. 
    3. Following receipt of the originating RFO document and tracking number from OSP, agency/member shall issue the originating RFO document to all contractors eligible to provide the identified service. 
    4. Following receipt of the above documents from each contractor, the agency/member shall score and evaluate the proposals, applying the state's or CPV member's evaluation criteria. 
    5. Following the evaluations, the agency/member shall commence negotiations with the highest scoring responder. 
    6. If negotiations are successful, the agency/member may proceed to create a Work Order Contract (state agencies) or CPV Work Order Contract (CPV members). The Work Order Contract must thoroughly identify the contractor's duties and negotiated cost. 
    7. Work Order Contracts require the signature of the contractor, state agency/member and the Commissioner of Administration. A signature verifying encumbrance of funds should also be included. 
    8. Once all signatures are obtained on the Work Order Contract, the agency member must transmit a copy of the fully executed work order, originating RFO document and certification (State Agencies only) to PT.Contracts@state.mn.us 
    9. The contractor should also be sent a copy of the fully-executed work order for its file.
     
    Aerial Imagery Deliverables, Standards and Requirements
    Information for imagery acquisition planning, data standards, data processing and product deliverables. Except where explicitly stipulated in a Work Order Contract solicitation issued under the program, all products delivered under this program must conform to the most current USGS Lidar Base Specification. The Contractor must be able to meet the highest lidar quality level requirements for data submission to the USGS 3D Elevation Program, currently defined as quality level - 0 (QL0). The most current USGS Lidar Base Specification can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/ss/lidar-base-specification-online).


    Eligible Vendors Qualification Summary
     
    Reporting (State Agencies Only)
    Minnesota Statute § 16C.08, subdivision 4(c) requires state agencies, upon completion of a professional/technical services contract in excess of $25,000, to submit a one-page report summarizing the purpose of the contract, identifying the amount spent on the contract, and evaluating the work completed by the contractor. Reports can be completed online at the Professional/Technical Services Contract Evaluations Page. The reporting requirement does not apply to users other than Minnesota state agencies.
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