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GeoConnections
Announcement of Opportunity
for
Canadian Organizations
Developing Regional Atlases
for Decision-Making
IC-Announcement code: 06AIC400
Announcement Summary
What can be applied for?
GeoConnections is soliciting proposals to develop online regional atlases that increase the availability and use of distributed geospatial data content on the Internet, while supporting decision-making processes with rich, contextual information that is highly relatable to end users. Regional atlases must make use of standards endorsed by GeoConnections and technologies which form part of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure. See sections 2 and 6 and Appendix C for more details.
Regional atlases must support decision-making in one or more of the following issue areas:
- Public Health: Facilitating Disease Surveillance or Population Health Analysis
- Public Safety and Security: Assisting with the Management of Consequences and Situational Awareness on Disaster Effects
- Environment/Sustainable Development: Facilitating Integrated Land/Marine Management including Land/Water-Use Planning, Environmental Assessment and Indicator Monitoring
- Matters of Importance to Aboriginal Peoples: Land and Resource Management and Community Planning
Who can apply?
Proposals will be accepted from end-users or enablers (see Section 2.4) from government departments or agencies (local, provincial/territorial, or federal), Crown corporations, academic institutions, private sector organizations, Aboriginal organizations or non-government organizations. See section 4 for more details.
How much can be applied for?
GeoConnections will fund up to 50% of a total project’s cost up to a maximum of $100,000 exclusive of GST, PST, and HST. Only eligible costs are permitted to leverage as in-kind contributions. See section 8 for more details. Projects should take place between November 2006 and March 2008.
What is the process?
GeoConnections is soliciting full proposals from eligible organizations. These proposals will be evaluated against the criteria found in Appendix A. Note that proposals should be written and must be submitted by the proponent, and not a collaborator or private contractor. Costs related to development of the proposal are the responsibility of the proponent. Submission of a full proposal to GeoConnections does not guarantee funding. See section 3 for more details.
The proponent must submit three (3) hard copies of the project proposal, including all appendices, and a CD-ROM with an electronic copy of all files to GeoConnections. See section 3 for more details.
What are the deadlines?
Proposals (hard copies and CR-ROM) must be received no later than close of business (17:00) Eastern Standard Time, October 12, 2006.
Who do I contact for more information?
Julie Béland
Program Office Manager
Value Management Office
GeoConnections
Telephone: (613) 947-5009
Facsimile: (613) 947-2410
Email: jbeland@nrcan.gc.ca
Denis Poliquin
Regional Atlas Advisor
GeoConnections
Telephone: (613) 992-1514
Facsimile: (613) 947-2410
Email: dpoliqui@nrcan.gc.ca
Table of Contents
1 Objective
2 Background
2.1 GeoConnections
2.2 Canadian
Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI)
2.3 Regional
Atlas
2.4 Targeted
Audience
2.5 Responding
to the Needs of Users
3 Application
Process
3.1 Proposal
Preparation and Submission
3.2 Proposal
Evaluation and Project Selection
3.3 Development
of a Formal Agreement
3.4 Project
deployment, delivery and monitoring
4 Roles
and Responsibilities
4.1 GeoConnections
4.2 Project
Proponent
4.3 Collaborating
Organizations
4.4 Contractor(s)
5 Responding
to user needs
5.1 Sustainability
and commitment to end-user community
6 USING
and contributing to the CGDI
6.1 Leveraging
the CGDI
6.2 Contributing
Data Content and Services to the CGDI
6.3 Data
Integration
7 Risk
Assessment
8 Financial
Information
8.1 Funding
8.2 Eligible
Project Costs
8.3 Ineligible
Project Costs
8.4 Total
Allowable Federal Assistance
8.5 Projects
Originating from the Province of Quebec
8.6 Private-sector
Involvement
8.7 Payment
Schedule
9 Reporting
and Monitoring
9.1 Project
Authorities
9.2 Meetings
9.3 Milestone
Reports
9.4 Final
Report
9.5 Registration
of Results
9.6 Public
and Stakeholder Communications
10 Rights
of GeoConnections
11 Contact
APPENDIX
A
APPENDIX
B
APPENDIX
C
APPENDIX
D
1 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is to solicit proposals to contribute comprehensive, integrated, regionally-scaled geospatial information as an online atlas to an end-user community in support of improved, informed decision-making. Projects funded under this AO will develop online regional atlases that align with the principles and technical architecture of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). See Appendix C for further definition of a regional atlas.
Regional atlases will be developed collaboratively by end-users, enablers and suppliers to address specific issues within one of four thematic areas: public health, public safety, environment and sustainable development, and matters of importance to Aboriginal peoples. Regional atlases should also make use of standards-based technologies and datasets that presently comprise the CGDI and facilitate information sharing with the broader CGDI community in support of regional decision making.
Furthermore, regional atlases developed through this AO will build capacity within the end-user community, promote CGDI awareness, expand the data content of the CGDI, and increase the use of the CGDI.
2 BACKGROUND
2.1 GeoConnections
GeoConnections is a national partnership program to evolve and expand the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). The CGDI provides Canadians with on-demand access to geographic information (e.g. maps, satellite images) and related services and applications in support of sound decision making.
2.2 Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI)
The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) is the underlying foundation needed to share geographic information (e.g. maps, satellite images) over the Internet. Through the CGDI, users can access a variety of geographic information from anywhere in Canada or throughout the world, and combine these datasets to gain new insights into social, environmental and economic relationships.
2.2.1 What are the benefits of the CGDI?
The CGDI enables Internet users to overlay maps in real time that have been acquired from closest to their source. For instance, an emergency responder reacting to a marine oil spill could quickly acquire information on ocean depths and currents from one source, weather maps from another source, important fishing grounds from a third source, and seabird colonies from a fourth source to quickly determine an emergency response strategy. By accessing this information directly from the authorities responsible for maintaining it, a responder is assured of receiving the most current and accurate information possible.
2.2.2 What is the CGDI?
The CGDI is composed of four key components:
- National framework data, integrated from federal, provincial and territorial sources, provide the ‘base’ layers that many users can access to initiate analysis. These layers include positional survey data, international and provincial/territorial boundaries, place names, a primary and secondary road network, satellite imagery, and terrain relief;
- Common data policies, agreed to by federal, provincial, and territorial agencies, remove barriers to information sharing and encourage consistent approaches that reduce duplication;
- Technical standards govern the sharing of location-based information to ensure it is interoperable (that it can be mixed and matched). These standards are developed through federal/provincial/territorial and international negotiations;
- Enabling technologies based on open standards and specifications can be used to access and disseminate data and develop Internet mapping applications. These applications use the CGDI to integrate information from distributed sources in real time to address a full range of policy issues, from disease surveillance to protected areas reporting and Aboriginal land-use planning. This CGDI "toolbox" provides standardized building blocks that any organization may use to build applications to serve their own needs while ‘plugging in’ to the national infrastructure.
2.3 Regional Atlas
This AO seeks proposals for projects that will produce CGDI-enabled regional atlases. In general, a regional atlas contributes geospatial data and services to the CGDI, and uses current CGDI technologies and data to address a specific problem or issue and aid in decision making. See Appendix C for further definition of a regional atlas.
Regional atlases sought under this opportunity must be enabled through new (published as part of project) or existing CGDI data and services. If project requirements are not fully achievable with data and services made available by project collaborators or with existing CGDI data and services, these gaps must be identified along with potential solutions. GeoConnections may work with successful applicants and other collaborators to address them.
Regional atlases are not required to be publicly available, but it is strongly encouraged and are favoured by GeoConnections. At minimum, regional atlases must be available to the end-user community.
Regional atlases are to be developed according to the principles of the CGDI: providing access to data that is closest to the authoritative source via interoperable and distributed online services.
2.4 Targeted audience
GeoConnections is mandated to focus on the needs of users in the four priority areas. For the purposes of this announcement, end-users, consumers of geospatial data and information, are targeted. End-users use geospatial information or data for decision making or business operations and may conduct analysis or receive its results to address issues.
For the purposes of this announcement, enablers of end-users (section 2.4.4) or end-users (section 2.4.5) must be project leads. Suppliers and developers from the private sector can collaborate with users to complete the project. Please refer to sections 4.3 and 4.4 of this announcement for further details.
GeoConnections recognizes five different types of users:
2.4.1 Suppliers
Suppliers provide geospatial data and web services to the CGDI. This category of user operates at the core of the CGDI, providing the content necessary for the regional atlases.
2.4.2 Developers
Developers create and implement the technologies which form the building blocks of the CGDI. They also contract with end-users and enablers, developing products and services that take advantage of the CGDI. Developers build applications on ‘web services’.
2.4.3 Marketers
Marketers sell and/or support geospatial products, mostly to end-users.
2.4.4 Enablers/Facilitators
These are typically government departments or agencies, programs, institutes and NGOs (but can be a private sector company) that do not necessarily form decision-environments but which provide support to end users. They may provide geospatial products, services or applications as a service to their community of users. Examples include associations, think tanks and government regulatory authorities.
2.4.5 End-users
End-users consume geospatial data or information derived from geospatial data for decision making or business operations. They may conduct analysis or receive its results to address issues.
2.5 Responding to the needs of users
Regional atlases must be built to satisfy the specific requirements of a group of users. In particular, as mandated by the 2005 Federal Budget, GeoConnections will support decision making on a broad range of issues within four thematic areas: public health, public safety, sustainable development and the environment, and matters of importance to Aboriginal peoples.
Within each of the four thematic areas, this AO seeks regional atlases that respond to the priorities described below.
2.5.1 Public health
Effective partnerships are needed to develop and apply the CGDI in a manner that serves public health professionals across the country. Public health is a GeoConnections priority for two reasons. First, health and well being are significant in the everyday lives of Canadians. And second, geomatics offers tremendous potential to improve the efficiency with which different health jurisdictions across the country interact. The use of geomatics by epidemiologists, population health specialists and others within this community is still nascent. However, specific areas within the public health arena could use geomatics and the CGDI to improve delivery and bridge information silos.
This AO solicits CGDI-enabled regional atlases that support decision-making in two areas, disease surveillance and population health:
Disease surveillance: Within the realm of disease surveillance, geospatial capabilities are limited due to a lack of both information sharing and standardized data. Regional atlases are required to help coordinate the use of integrated, geospatial health information. Public health officials would analyze this information to make informed decisions.
Population health: Multiple factors (such as socio-economic status, demography, and environment) shaping the public health paradigm are important to decision-makers in addressing the health of populations. With these varied information needs, the public health community requires access to integrated, timely and relevant geospatial information to effectively address, prioritize, and manage populations at risk.
2.5.2 Public safety and security
To prepare for threats in an all-hazards environment, which have the potential to undermine our safety and security, Canadians must coordinate resources and efforts within our communities, neighbouring regions, and other countries. There is an increasing need for inter-jurisdictional co-operation and horizontal sharing of information to deal effectively with public safety and security. Location-based information is a key resource for coordinating and assisting agencies in making crucial decisions related to the planning for and response to events affecting public safety and security.
The key areas of interest for this GeoConnections AO, within the public safety and security field are situational awareness and assisting with the management of consequences.
Situational awareness: Regional atlases will provide integrated geospatial information in support of situational awareness to enable the end-user community to predict, detect, prepare and respond to threats to public safety and security. Situational Awareness data can be provided either from resources on the ground, (typically local residents/first responders/media), imagery sources, or sensor systems in the field, and integrated with complementary information to create a dynamic atlas product capable of informing end-user communities concerned with public safety and security.
Assisting with the management of consequences: Regional atlases must focus on enabling inter-jurisdictional information flows, as public safety and security agencies need to exchange location-based information with neighbouring jurisdictions and other levels of government (local, provincial, federal, international) to deal effectively with emergencies. The atlas must provide location-based information for decision support for response to the consequences of public safety and security situations. An atlas assisting with the management of consequences may provide a common strategic operational picture across the user community that supports the coordination of preparedness and response activities.
2.5.3 Sustainable development and the environment
There is growing recognition that Canada needs an integrated approach to effectively manage and sustain its lands and waters. An integrated environmental approach shares the following characteristics:
- Inherently based on an region such as an ecosystem, landscape, watershed, coastal zone, administrative area, planning region or zone, or proposed development site;
- Requires the collection and/or combining of diverse economic, social, and environmental data sets from government, academic, private sector and non-government organization sources;
- Presents an opportunity to aid decision making with authoritative information and tools to assess impacts and trade-offs
- Offers greater possibilities to influence decision-makers and achieve environmental sustainability over the long term (unlike a single environmental theme approach)
An integrated land/water management approach may contain specific objectives and projections for the state of a region at a future point of time. The process may also contain land or sea scale provisions for assessing cumulative effects of development for land use planning purposes. Resulting benchmarks or thresholds establish a context within which environmental assessments of projects may take place. The use of indicators for land/marine level monitoring provides a mechanism for evaluating the state of land and water components against these benchmarks and may contribute to evaluating progress towards meeting future objectives.
The CGDI is a mechanism that can support all stages of implementing such integrated land/water frameworks. This announcement encourages CGDI-enabled regional atlases that contribute to integrated land management or integrated water management (including coastal zones and oceans) which offer the possibility to improve decision making. Specifically, it solicits regional atlases that facilitate:
- Land/water-use planning within an integrated management context (this includes creation of integrated community sustainability plans at the local or regional level); or
- Environmental assessments; or
- Monitoring through the use of environmental or sustainable development indicators.
In addition, it is desirable to include one or more of the following priority sub-thematic areas:
- Climate change impacts and adaptation
- Ocean and coastal management
- Freshwater quality and quantity
- Air quality
- Land sustainability (quality, productivity, land use planning)
- Valuation of ecosystem services
Proponents should demonstrate how a regional atlas will influence decision making within a sustainable development context.
2.5.4 Matters of importance to Aboriginal Peoples
Aboriginal1 communities in Canada are facing increasing pressures with respect to lands (including traditional lands and territories) and resources. These pressures and demands are a result of devolution under self-government initiatives, resource exploration activities, and the need to provide opportunities for their members while ensuring that lands will continue to be productive in the future. Balancing the needs of today with those of tomorrow requires communities to take advantage of modern technologies to assist in their planning and development. Thus the key areas of interest to GeoConnections with respect to matters of importance to Aboriginal peoples in this AO are land and resource management and community planning.
Land and resource management for many Aboriginal communities includes the recognition and incorporation of traditional value systems into land management practices and systems. With self-government agreements, comprehensive and specific land-claim agreements, and other federal initiatives such as the First Nations Land Management Act, being negotiated regularly between Aboriginal communities and Canada, land and resource management is becoming increasingly important. Regional atlases can play a role in developing sound practices for incorporating both traditional and western knowledge systems, that are vital in assisting decision-making in Aboriginal communities.
Planning efforts based on community involvement are gaining prominence in Aboriginal communities and every planning effort is different depending on the requirements of the community. Planning is becoming more and more of a necessity as demands on community resources increase. For community-based planning efforts to effect sustainable results, information must be assembled in a manner that is reliable, cohesive, and consistent. With infrastructure data for Aboriginal communities residing with various agencies, the development of a regional atlas may overcome the serious challenge for communities to find appropriate means of accessing and integrating data required to make informed decisions.
3 APPLICATION PROCESS
Project development and deployment consist of the following principal stages:
3.1 Proposal preparation and submission
3.2 Proposal evaluation and project selection
3.3 Development of formal agreement for selected projects
3.4 Phased project deployment, delivery, and monitoring
3.1 Proposal preparation and submission
All eligible project proponents are invited to submit a project proposal for consideration under this AO (see Section 4). The intent of the project proposal is to explain the project in sufficient detail to allow GeoConnections to evaluate the proposal comprehensively. Preparation and submission of a proposal is not a guarantee of funding under this AO.
Project proponents are responsible for preparing and submitting the proposals, which includes Letters of Collaboration. Project proponents are encouraged to consult GeoConnections staff for advice during this process.
Proposals may be submitted in either English or French.
Proposals must follow the available proposal template that is attached as Appendix
B.
The proponent must submit three (3) hard copies of the project proposal, including all appendices, and a CD-ROM with an electronic copy of all files to GeoConnections.
Proposals (hard copies and CR-ROM) must be received no later than close of
business (17:00) Eastern Standard Time, October 12, 2006. Proposals must be
directed to:
Julie Béland
Program Office Manager
Value Management Office
GeoConnections
Room 626, 615 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E9
Canada
Telephone: (613) 947-5009
Facsimile: (613) 947-2410
Email: jbeland@nrcan.gc.ca
.
3.2 Proposal evaluation and project selection
A team of evaluators will evaluate project proposals. Evaluations will be based on the criteria listed in the Appendix A of this AO. GeoConnections will invite the proponents of selected proposals to enter into formal agreements. Proponents whose proposal evaluations score below a passing mark will not be considered for formal agreements and will be notified promptly. Projects selected for funding will be based on rank and funding availability.
3.3 Development of a formal agreement
GeoConnections will work with the selected project proponents to develop formal agreements. These contribution agreements will describe the terms of the collaboration with GeoConnections. These are not contractual documents; rather they set out mutual expectations such as work schedules, tables of deliverables, associated milestone dates, a communications plan, and financial details.
3.4 Project deployment, delivery and monitoring
Project will deploy as described in a detailed project plan, outlining milestones, duration, tasks, human resources (organization, team member name, role/title per diem and days of effort/person), deliverables, start/end dates and costs, to be included in the proposal. Refer to section 9 of this AO for reporting and monitoring requirements.
4 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
GeoConnections promotes collaboration, particularly those that support project delivery through the private geomatics sector and, to a lesser extent, academia and non-government organizations. This section details roles and responsibilities of all potential collaborators on projects.
4.1 GeoConnections
GeoConnections supports projects by providing funding and expertise. GeoConnections is responsible for evaluating proposals, preparing agreements, providing advice, monitoring progress, evaluating deliverables, and authorizing payments. GeoConnections, in collaboration with the project proponent, is also responsible for promotion and communication of the project and its results.
4.2 Project proponent
The project proponent assembles the project proposal, leads and coordinates all project activities, and acts as a single point of contact with GeoConnections on project issues. The project proponent may be a government department or agency (local, provincial/territorial, or federal), Crown Corporation, academic institution, private sector organization, Aboriginal organizations or a non-government organization. Project proponents must be end-users of geospatial data (or information derived from geospatial data) or they must enable end-users, and they should have clear business or policy requirements for fulfilling these roles. The project proponent should have both a mandate and the resources to coordinate the project and to sustain the CGDI -enabled regional atlas beyond the project’s completion.
4.3 Collaborating organizations
As do project proponents, collaborating organizations contribute in some way to the project and must have a specific level of commitment. Collaborators may be government departments or agencies (local, provincial/territorial or federal), Crown corporations, academic institutions, private sector organizations, Aboriginal organizations, or non-governmental organizations. They must have some vested interest in the project and contribute to it financially, whether with cash and/or in-kind investments. Every regional atlas project must include at least two collaborating organizations in addition to the project proponent. The collaborator’s contribution and commitment to the project must be specified in a Letter of Collaboration, and must be included with the proposal submission.
4.4 Contractor(s)
Every project must include at least one contractor from the private sector, academia, or non-government sector. The exact role of the contractor will be specific to each project. In general, a contractor will provide specific services or deliverables needed to complete the project successfully. A contractor cannot be a project proponent. Project proponents are responsible for all aspects of contracting and are therefore governed by any contracting rules and restrictions of their own organizations.
5 RESPONDING TO USER NEEDS
An end-user-group is a group of people who share an interest in a topic (or an "issue domain"), who continually interact, and who accumulate and disseminate knowledge. More specifically, GeoConnections defines an end-user-group as a group of users who share common concerns or problems and who might have common requirements of the CGDI.
The end-user group comprises the people/organizations that will benefit directly from the project and become the main users of the regional atlas. These end-users—or a subset of them—must commit to participate in the project, have an ongoing need for the proposed regional atlas, and possess the resources to use the regional atlas when the project finishes. The end-user group must define the requirements and should be consulted throughout the project for advice using the principles of user-centric design process described below.
GeoConnections will favour proposals that result in operational implementations as quickly as possible. If a regional atlas will not be operationally deployed to end-users by the end of the funding period, plans must be detailed in the proposal on how this will be achieved in the near term.
In addition to addressing priority issues, regional atlases must satisfy the specific needs of end-users in a given user-group. Project proposals must clearly describe the issue that the regional atlas addresses, and demonstrate how the regional atlas responds to the needs of end-users. A user needs assessment is useful to develop long and short range plans and to help define current gaps in integrated, relevant information that the proposed regional atlas will provide. Ultimately, a user needs assessment will help decision makers and planners (the end-users) set priorities and requirements for the regional atlas.
A user-needs assessment (UNA) is a process for discovering and assessing the needs of users and developing solutions for meeting identified needs. Needs assessments can produce information about individual's ideas, attitudes, their needs, wants and preferences. User-needs assessments submitted to GeoConnections should include input from users about their needs, wants and preferences regarding a particular application.
A user-needs assessment should be undertaken for the following reasons:
- To ensure that the project is successful and sustainable.
- To engage those that will use a program, service, application or system, to ensure that the new product will meet their actual needs.
- To discover who uses a product(s), application/system, service(s) or program.
- To explore the demand for a product(s), application/system, service(s) or program.
- To help define, explore and solve problems.
- To help decision makers and planners set priorities to determine requirements and offerings.
- To prove accountability in the allocation of public resources.
A typical User Needs Assessment involves three interlinked processes:
1) Profiling the user community: Determining who specifically will be using the regional atlas. For instance, regional atlas providing an integrated approach to land-use planning could be used by land-use planners, by consultants, by non-government organizations, or by a resource extraction industry. Each of these will have different requirements and questions. User profiling narrows the audience to ensure the end product is relevant to a particular community.
2) Assessing the needs of a user community: This process typically uses both qualitative methods (e.g. focus groups) and quantitative methods (e.g. surveys, questionnaires) to determine what questions end-users need to answer and how they would like those answers delivered.
3) User-Centred Design (UCD): This process engages users throughout the design and development of a regional atlas to ensure it is meeting needs as expected.
The proposal should describe how end-users were profiled, how their needs were assessed and what plans there are for engaging them throughout the project lifecycle. Documents which result from user needs assessments may be provided as annexes to project proposals.
5.1 Sustainability and commitment to end-user community
Project proponents should have a clear mandate to lead development of and maintain the proposed regional atlas and to serve the intended end-users. Ideally they will have a governance model / organizational structure that is stable and suitable for hosting and maintaining the regional atlas.
End-user groups must be able to use proposed regional atlases as intended once GeoConnections funding ends. Therefore, the project proponent or at least one of the collaborating organizations must commit to maintaining the regional atlas. Proponents must demonstrate such a plan for sustaining the project results.
Furthermore, to ensure that the demand for the proposed regional atlas extends beyond the project, the following also must be demonstrated:
- That the agency that will sustain the regional atlas has an existing, active governance structure and mandate to maintain it;
- That this agency has demonstrated its commitment by earmarking resources and/or personnel to sustaining the regional atlas;
- That where a third party undertakes the long-term implementation of a proposed regional atlas, on behalf of an enabling body or end-user, a binding agreement ensuring sustainability must be in place.
6 USING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CGDI
6.1 Leveraging the CGDI
As much as possible, projects should take advantage of the CGDI’s capabilities by leveraging existing and emerging CGDI technology, data, and services. A certain level of technical knowledge is required to take advantage of the CGDI’s current capabilities. Numerous resources exist to educate and support proponents in taking advantage of it. If you should have any questions about this section, you are encouraged to contact the GeoConnections Regional Atlas Advisor.
Regional atlas projects should build on investments in the CGDI that early contributors and developers have made. Proposals must demonstrate how a project will extend and/or be integrated within the CGDI.
6.1.1 CGDI-endorsed standards and specifications
Regional atlas development must be based on the endorsed and emerging standards and specifications of the CGDI. These standards are identified in the table below:
| Standard or Specification | Acronym |
Function |
|---|---|---|
| Web Map Service | WMS |
Data visualization from distributed data stores in a variety of formats and projections |
| Web Feature Service | WFS |
Data access, insertion, update, and extraction |
| Geographic Markup Language | GML |
Data encoding allowing neutral data exchange |
| Styled Layer Descriptor | SLD |
Data presentation |
| Filter Encoding | n/a |
Data query |
Geodata Discovery Service |
n/a |
Metadata search - ISO 19115, FGDC-CSDGM 1998, OGC Catalogue Service, Z39.50 Geo Profile |
| Geodata Resource Registry | n/a |
Metadata registry |
Proposals should demonstrate how a project will integrate and be interoperable within the CGDI using one or more of these endorsed standards and specifications.
Details on the latest specifications are available on the Developer’s Network page of the GeoConnections website at http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/standards.
GeoConnections may require testing for interoperability and conformance with CGDI standards and specifications.
6.1.2 CGDI Development Network
Project teams should participate in and make use of the CGDI Development Network for compatibility testing of standards and specifications, and for interoperability assessments. Project teams are also encouraged to contribute concepts and information to the CGDI Development Network for use by other members of the Network, to demonstrate the project results in workshops and seminars, and to promote the use of the CGDI within their communities of practice. Access the CGDI Development Network at http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/index.html.
6.1.3 Alignment with the CGDI Technological Architecture
The CGDI architecture is based upon a three-tier model of data, services, and applications. The data tier consists of distributed geospatial information, such as metadata, feature data, or map layers. The services tier consists of web services compliant with CGDI-endorsed standards, which enable access to data or data processing. The third tier consists of the CGDI applications that address a specific problem or issue.
In the three-tiered CGDI architecture, regional atlases contribute data and services to the CGDI, and are also enriched by services that provide distributed access to required data, as illustrated below:
 |
|
For detailed information on the architecture of the CGDI, refer to the documents on the Developer’s Network page of the GeoConnections website at: http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/fa=architecture.welcome.
GeoConnections provides on-line training at: http://www.geoconnections.org/publications/training_manual/e/index.htm
GeoConnections provides a developers’ guide at: http://www.geoconnections.org/publications/Technical_Manual/html_e/cgdiindex.html.
6.2 Contributing data content and services to the CGDI
6.2.1 Data and services
Projects will connect regional scale geospatial information and services to the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), in accordance with CGDI-endorsed standards and specifications. As such, regional atlases funded through this AO will enrich the available content and capabilities of the CGDI. Access to data and services enabled through the development of regional atlases will: increase the supply of content and services within the CGDI, support CGDI applications and enhance the Canadian geomatics industry. Proposals must contain a descriptive list of data and services resulting from the project that will be published to the CGDI.
6.3 Data integration
6.3.1 Data integration between project partners
Projects will increase the value of regionally-scaled datasets by leading efforts and encouraging standardized approaches to integrating inter-jurisdictional regional geographic data, enabling the information to be used most effectively. Project proponents will develop data models and apply standards that enable comprehensive integration of disparate datasets in a distributed environment. Data integration efforts will be documented as best practices and published to the CGDI Developer’s Network (http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/index.html) for the benefit of the CGDI community. Proposals must provide details on planned data integration activities.
6.3.2 Data integration with Atlas of Canada and other CGDI national information systems
Projects will make integrated regional scale information available for use by national scale information systems, including the Atlas of Canada, who may wish to facilitate access to a regional level of information in response to particular issues or needs. Project proponents will ensure this is possible by:
- Enabling interoperability through the application of CGDI-endorsed standards and specifications for data access and exchange
- Ensuring horizontal and vertical alignment of project data with national frameworks data layers
Proposals must demonstrate that project results are candidates for integration with national information systems and applications, including the Atlas of Canada.
7 RISK ASSESSMENT
Proponents must perform a risk assessment to show that the project is feasible and has a legitimate chance of success. This assessment can also include references to published research, contract reports, previous experience, and other supporting material.
A thorough risk assessment will identify all potential risks and problem areas and demonstrate mitigation strategies for each. Potential risk areas can include but are not limited to technology, resources, access to data, commitments, project dependencies, and policies. Proposals must describe the potential impact of each risk.
8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.1 Funding
GeoConnections will fund only cost-shared projects. In cost-shared projects, the proponent and its partners agree to either contribute cash towards the work or absorb part of the project cost by contributing in-kind. The proponent’s financial contribution (cash and in-kind) to the project must be at least 50% of the total project costs.
The maximum funding requested from GeoConnections per project must not exceed $100,000 and must not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost.
A proposed project can depend on another funding program, pending written confirmation from that program that funding has been approved.
8.2 Eligible project costs
8.2.1 Labour
For the purposes of this announcement, labour costs represent the actual salaries paid to personnel. For in-kind contributions, labour also includes employee benefits up to a maximum of 20 percent of total project cost.
Each participating organization is required to explain how it calculates per diem rates. A typical way to calculate labour is to use the labour-rate formula: reasonable annual salary, plus reasonable overhead and benefits, divided by a reasonable number of billable days in a year. Labour rates must be exclusive of profit. In the case of government personnel, official labour rates approved by the government organization should be used.
8.2.2 Software
Costs for software essential to the project will be considered. GeoConnections’ contribution cannot exceed 50% of the cost related to software. Only the amortized cost over the life of the project of the software essential to the project will be considered as cash or in-kind, to a maximum 20%.
8.2.3 Data publishing
Costs associated with making data accessible via CGDI services are eligible. These costs may include those to implement data servers, to prepare data for publishing, or both. These costs cannot include charges to collect or compile data.
8.2.4 Training
Training, as part of technology transfer activities, may form part of the total estimated project cost. It should not, however, exceed 15 percent of the total project cost. Training costs must be fully explained and justified in the project proposal.
8.2.5 Travel and living expenses
Limited travel and living expenses will be considered with justification. Proposals should detail the basis and cost of all required travel.
Travel costs must be in accordance with the current Treasury Board Travel Directive, or, if applicable, in accordance with the project proponent’s own travel guidelines (but not exceeding the Treasury Board Directive). The Treasury Board Travel Directive is available at http://publiservice.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/TBM_113/td-dv_e.asp.
8.2.6 Subcontracts for services
For any subcontractors, cost-breakdown information should be detailed in the proposal. GeoConnections may request a copy of contracts with subcontractors or consultants.
8.3 Ineligible project costs
8.3.1 Profit
Profit, including profit on labour, is an ineligible expense and cannot be included when determining the total estimated project cost.
8.3.2 Taxes
Goods and Services Tax (GST), Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) are ineligible for GeoConnections funding or as an in-kind contribution.
8.3.3 Pre-project
No payment shall be made for costs incurred to prepare or submit a project proposal or project agreement in response to this AO. No costs before receipt of a signed agreement or specified written authorization from GeoConnections can be charged to any resulting agreement.
8.3.4 Data
Costs related to the purchase, acquisition, or value of data is ineligible. Costs associated with any activities related to the collection of data are ineligible.
8.3.5 Background intellectual property
Background intellectual property consists of intellectual property developed prior to the proposed project. Costs related to background intellectual property are ineligible.
8.3.6 Hardware
GeoConnections funds cannot be used to purchase hardware.
8.3.7 Intangibles
Costs in the form of knowledge, goodwill, or other such intangibles are ineligible.
8.3.8 Other
Purchase of land or payment of property taxes or capital costs is ineligible.
8.4 Total allowable federal assistance
The proponent shall provide a list of all federal departments participating
in the proposed project and shall ensure that the total federal government assistance,
including the amount requested from GeoConnections, does not exceed 75 percent
of the total project cost. Funding from another GeoConnections-funded project
cannot form part of the total project costs or leveraged funds.
8.5 Projects originating from the province of Quebec
An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Conseil exécutif (L.R.Q., chapter M-30).
Under sections 3.11 and 3.12 of An Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (hereinafter referred to as Act) certain entities, as defined in the meaning of the Act, such municipal bodies, school bodies or public agencies, must obtain an authorization, indicated by the Act, before signing any agreement with the Government of Canada, its departments or agencies, or a federal public agency.
Consequently, any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any agreement with the Government of Canada. The form in Appendix D must be completed and included with project proposals from Quebec. If you answer "yes" to one of the three questions, you must, on behalf of your organization, take the necessary measures to obtain the proper authorization from the Government of Quebec before obtaining funding from the Government of Canada. You should contact the representative from the agency or institution in Quebec that provides you with funding, after-which GeoConnections will send an unsigned copy of the contribution agreement.
If you answer "no" to all three questions on the form, your organization is not subject to the provisions of Chapter M-30.
8.6 Private-sector involvement
GeoConnections is committed to spending 70 percent of its total budget within the private sector. Government proponents who receive GeoConnections project funding are required to contract work to the private sector wherever possible, rather than hire new internal staff to work on project activities. Project financial reports must detail this flow-through to the private sector.
8.7 Payment schedule
Payment schedules will be specific to each project and will be outlined in the resulting agreement. In general, payment schedules will be based on milestones and their associated tasks.
An advance payment may be made at the start of the project based on submitted and approved cash-flow requirements for start-up costs during the project’s first three (3) months. Advance payments are intended to help get the project off the ground in cases where cash flow is limited. A 10% hold back provision will apply to contributions when advances are issued.
9 REPORTING AND MONITORING
9.1 Project authorities
A GeoConnections project authority will be assigned to monitor each project. This project authority will be responsible for approving milestone payments. Milestone reports and corresponding deliverables will be submitted to the project authority for evaluation.
9.2 Meetings
9.2.1 Orientation meeting
Project proponents must arrange an initial orientation meeting involving all key project participants and the GeoConnections project authority at the beginning of the project.
9.2.2 Interim progress review meetings
Interim progress-review meetings must be scheduled to demonstrate project progress and to discuss any relevant project issues. These meetings may or may not be tied to milestones.
9.3 Milestone reports
At the conclusion of each milestone, the project manager shall provide a brief report to the GeoConnections project authority. These reports will be required before any payments are made and shall contain at minimum, but not be limited to:
- A title page
- A summary of the work accomplished in comparison to the work plan, including URLs of prototype and operational results
- An explanation of any problems encountered and their solution
- Any changes to the work plan for the next milestone
- Financial statement, if requesting payment
9.4 Final report
At the end of the project, the project team must provide a final report. The final report is required before the final payment can be made. This report should do the following:
- Describe the project outcomes compared with planned objectives;
- Assess the project’s success in meeting end-users needs;
- Identify the project benefits, especially regarding priority issues and the end-user community;
- Discuss the benefits of the project for the project team;
- Discuss business and commercial activities related to the project results;
- Discuss challenges (technical and policy) encountered;
- Discuss CGDI content, standards, and technology that were utilized;
- Discuss any gaps that were identified in the CGDI;
- Provide recommendations for CGDI development and direction;
- Describe the activities undertaken or planned to disseminate the project outcomes, including publishing results to the GeoConnections Discovery Portal and the CGDI Developer’s Network;
- Outline plans for follow-on activities and projects; and
- Describe communications activities, including public and internal (strategic) communications undertaken to date and planned.
9.5 Registration of results
Any new CGDI data content and services resulting from this project must be registered with the GeoConnections Discovery Portal (http://geodiscover.cgdi.ca).
The final payment will only be made once any new CGDI data content and services are registered on the GeoConnections Discovery Portal.
9.6 Public and stakeholder communications
All projects that receive funding from GeoConnections will promote project results and publicly acknowledge the GeoConnections contribution, ideally by displaying the GeoConnections logo and link on media, public, and stakeholder news releases; presentations; websites; brochures; and other publications or documentation that describes the project and its outcomes.
Where only text is allowed, the acknowledgement will include the following wording:
"…with financial support from GeoConnections, a national partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada. GeoConnections and its partners are working to enhance the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure, an on-line resource that enables decision-makers to access, combine, and share geographic information over the Internet and gain new insights into social, environmental, and economic issues."
Where logos of supporting agencies are included in a product, the GeoConnections logo and the Canada wordmark shall be used.
Proponents are requested to obtain GeoConnections’ approval prior to issuing, printing, or publishing any publicity material. Material should be submitted to the GeoConnections project authority. GeoConnections will offer a link to project news releases and articles from its website, and may otherwise promote the projects successes in consultation with the project proponent and collaborators.
10 RIGHTS OF GEOCONNECTIONS
GeoConnections reserves the right to:
- Reject any or all proposals received in response to this AO;
- Seek clarification and verify any or all information provided;
- Enter into discussions with project proponents on any or all aspects of a proposal;
- Accept any proposal in whole or in part;
- Intellectual property rights;
- Promote and communicate the project and its results;
- Cancel and/or re-issue this AO at any time; and
- Administer, approve, and allocate funding based on the sole discretion of the GeoConnections program.
The contents and requirements of this document are subject to change. Before proceeding with a proposal submission, be sure to obtain the latest version of this document from the GeoConnections website: www.geoconnections.org.
11 CONTACT
All enquiries and other communications related to this AO should be directed in writing, preferably by e-mail, to:
Julie Béland
Program Office Manager
Value Management Office
GeoConnections
Room 626, 615 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E9
Canada
Telephone: (613) 947-5009
Facsimile: (613) 947-2410
Email: jbeland@nrcan.gc.ca
Denis Poliquin
Regional Atlas Advisor
GeoConnections
Room 650, 615 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E9
Canada
Telephone: (613) 992-1514
Facsimile: (613) 947-2410
Email: dpoliqui@nrcan.gc.ca
Footnotes:
1Aboriginal includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
Appendix A
Developing Regional Atlases
for Decision-Making:
Evaluation Criteria
IC-Announcement code: 06AIC400
Proposal evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated according to specific evaluation criteria. For
each proposal, evaluation scores will be calculated using the criteria in
the table below:
| I Impact | II Relevance | III CGDI | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Collaborations | User Needs | CGDI Leverage |
2 |
Benefits to End-User Community | Sustainability and Commitment | Data Content |
3 |
Information Sharing | Feasibility | Standards and Interoperability |
4 |
Cash and In-Kind Leverage | Decision Making | Data Integration |
The evaluation will be based on the selection of the most appropriate
statement, from a list of statements ranked ‘A’ through ‘D’,
which best describes how the proposal addresses that particular criterion. These
statements are described, for each of the criteria, below under “Evaluation
Criteria Statements”.
Note: The proposal evaluation committee will assess proposals using
only the information provided in the proposal. No information from other sources
will be considered during the evaluation.
‘A’ statements correspond to the minimum acceptable or minimum assessable
conditions for a given evaluation criterion, whereas ‘D’ statements
correspond to the most desirable condition for that particular evaluation criterion,
and thus the maximum possible assessment.
When the proposal does not meet all the conditions and elements to satisfy a
particular evaluation statement, evaluators are instructed to select the next
lowest statement and its associated letter score. For example, if the proposal
does not satisfactorily address all the conditions and elements in statement
‘C’ for a particular evaluation criterion, then statement ‘B’
is selected.
When a particular criterion cannot be assessed, due to confusing or missing
information, an ‘N’ score is assigned.
Each of the criteria has equal weight. Letter scores are associated with percentage
values according to the table below:
| Letter Score | Value |
|---|---|
| N | - |
| A | 3% |
| B | 33% |
| C | 67% |
| D | 100% |
Individual scores for each of the evaluation criteria are summed and an average
is calculated. The maximum possible score for a proposal is 100% and the minimum
possible score is 0%.
Proposals that do not achieve an average score of at least 50% will
not be considered for funding. In addition, proposals that do not receive at
least a “B” score in any of Data Content, Data Integration, Standards
and Interoperability, User Needs, Information Sharing, Sustainability and Commitment,
Feasibility, Decision Making, and Collaborations will not be considered for
funding.
Evaluation Criteria Statements
1. Impact criteria
1.1 Collaborations
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Project Summary, Organization Description and Collaborations section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
A. does not involve the collaboration of more than two organizations.
B. involves the collaboration of more than two organizations.
C. involves the collaboration or more than two organizations, and will seek ongoing advice and input from users within the end-user community.
D. involves the collaboration of more than two organizations, and includes active involvement from users within the end-user community. In addition, the project will create or extend multi-disciplinary or interdepartmental collaboration and has links to other initiatives that will enhance the visibility of GeoConnections.
1.2 Benefits to end-user community
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Project
Description and Benefits to the end-user community section, select the statement
below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. does not address an issue within one of the four priority areas.
B. addresses one or more issue within one of the priority areas.
C. addresses one or more of the identified priority issues within the priority area.
D. addresses more than one of the priority issues within the priority area and is likely to create significant long-term benefits.
1.3 Information sharing
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Information Sharing and Data Content section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proponent:
A. is mandated to share data or information products outside of the proponent’s organization.
B. has a data sharing or licensing rationale and is mandated to share data or information products outside of the proponent’s organization.
C. has a data sharing or licensing rationale and is mandated to share data or information products outside of the proponent’s organization using CGDI standards and specifications.
D. has a data sharing or licensing rationale and is mandated to share data or information products outside of the proponent’s organization and will, as a result of this project, use the CGDI as its primary means of sharing information to make data widely available to CGDI and end-user community.
1.4 Cash and in-kind leverage
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Project Summary, Project Implementation Plan and Budget Summary section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
Review the financial information provided in the proposal. Taking into account both the requested GeoConnections contribution (as a percentage of the total project cost) and the cash contribution (as a percentage of the total project cost) to be made by the project proponent and collaborators, select the value type (I, II, III, or IV) in the following table that best represents the combination of the GeoConnections share and the cash leveraged for the project.
| GeoConnections Contribution (% of total project cost) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 - 45 | 45 - 35 | 35 - 20 | < 20 | ||
| Proponent and Collaborator
Cash Contribution (% of total project cost) |
0 - 10 | I |
II |
II |
II |
| 10 - 25 | II |
II |
III |
III |
|
| 25 - 35 | II |
III |
III |
IV |
|
| > 35 | III |
III |
IV |
IV |
|
Select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project shows:
A. leverage of type “I”
B. leverage of type “II”
C. leverage of type “III”
D. leverage of type “IV”
2. Relevance criteria
2.1 User needs
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the User needs, Decision-Making, Sustainability and Commitment and Benefits to the end-user community section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposal:
A. has not identified an end-user community and has no real business case to justify undertaking the project.
B. has identified an end-user community and has a minimal business case to justify undertaking the project.
C. has identified the needs of an end-user community and is engaged in ongoing communication with the end-user community regarding the project and has a strong business case to justify undertaking the project.
D. the end-user community is the project lead and has a strong business case to justify undertaking the project.
2.2 Sustainability and Commitment
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Sustainability and Commitment and Communication Plan section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The project proponent:
A. has no real plan for the maintenance and operation of the regional atlas beyond the end of the project.
B. has a plan for the maintenance and operation of the regional atlas beyond the end of the project but does not have the commitment of an organization with a business case and mandate for such.
C. has a commitment for the maintenance and operation of the regional atlas beyond the end of the project, including the commitment of an organization with a business case and mandate for such.
D. has a business case and mandate for the maintenance and operation of the regional atlas beyond the end of the project, and has demonstrated long-term planning and resources for sustaining the regional atlas.
2.3 Feasibility
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Feasibility and Project Implementation Plan section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. is not feasible.
B. is feasible but has no or a weak project plan and no real or realistic plans for risk mitigation.
C. is feasible, based on proven methodologies, is supported by a project plan, and has reasonable plans for risk mitigation.
D. is feasible, based on proven methodologies and past experience (e.g., pilot projects, demonstrations, etc.), is supported by a thorough and complete project plan, and has proven plans for risk mitigation that are based on a thorough risk assessment.
2.4 Decision Making
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Decision-Making and the Benefits to the end-user community section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. will result in a product that will not enhance decision making for a specified end-user community.
B. will result in a product that will somewhat enhance decision making for a specified end-user community.
C. will result in a product that will enhance decision making on one or more priority issue for a specified end-user community.
D. will result in a product that will enhance decision making and leads to action on one or more priority issues, and will become the primary tool in the decision making process for a specified end-user community.
3. CGDI Criteria
3.1 CGDI Leverage
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the CGDI Leverage section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. does not utilize any CGDI technology, data and services.
B. utilizes one instance of CGDI technology, data and services.
C. utilizes more than one instance of CGDI technology, data and services.
D. utilizes more than one instance of CGDI technology, data and services and demonstrates that they are maximizing the leverage of existing CGDI technology, data and services as project is reliant upon these instances as key components of the regional atlas.
3.2 Data Content
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Data Content section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. does not make any new geospatial information, of relevance to one of the four priority areas, used in the regional atlas, available to the CGDI.
B. makes some of the new geospatial information, of relevance to one of the four priority areas, used in the regional atlas, available to the CGDI.
C. makes all new geospatial information, of relevance to one of the four priority areas, used in the regional atlas, available to the CGDI.
D. makes all new, fully integrated geospatial information, of relevance to one of the four priority area, used in the regional atlas, available to the CGDI.
3.3 Standards and Interoperability
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Standards and Interoperability and Data Content section, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
does not involve the use of CGDI-endorsed or emerging standards, or these standards are merely mentioned without indicating how they are to be applied.
B. is compliant with some of the CGDI-endorsed or emerging standards.
C. is based on the use of, and is compliant with, CGDI-endorsed or emerging standards.
D. is based entirely on the use of, and is entirely compliant with, CGDI-endorsed or emerging standards, and produces a “flagship” instance of a CGDI-enabled regional atlas that clearly demonstrates interoperability* and use of distributed data content.
* Interoperability - the ability of one system’s components to be utilized by another system and vice versa, through the implementation and use of open standards and specifications.
3.4 Data Integration
Based on the information provided in the proposal under the Collaborations, Information Sharing, CGDI Leverage and Data Content sections, select the statement below that best reflects your evaluation of the proposed project.
The proposed project:
A. has not investigated and will not implement standardized approaches to integrating interjurisdictional regional geographic data.
B. has investigated and will implement standardized approaches to integrating interjurisdictional regional geographic data and can demonstrate that the resulting data may be integrated into other CGDI-enabled national information systems.
C. has investigated standardized approaches to integrating interjurisdictional regional geographic data, and, as a result of identifying gaps in current practices, plans to develop and apply data models and standards that enable comprehensive integration of disparate datasets in a distributed environment and can demonstrate that the resulting data may be integrated into another CGDI-enabled national information systems.
D. has investigated standardized approaches to integrating interjurisdictional regional geographic data, and, as a result of identifying gaps in current practices, plans to develop and apply data models and standards that enable comprehensive integration of disparate datasets in a distributed environment and has partnerships in place to integrate resulting data into another CGDI-enabled national information systems.
Appendix B
Developing Regional Atlases
for Decision-Making:
Proposal Template
IC-Announcement code: 06AIC400
Important Notes
Refer to the Announcement of Opportunity associated with this proposal at the GeoConnections website: http://www.geoconnections.org for project requirements and eligible activities. The contents and requirements of this document are subject to change. Before proceeding with a proposal submission, be sure to obtain the latest version of this document from the website.
Proposals may be submitted in either English or French. GeoConnections is available to assist proponents in the development of their proposals.
The proponent must submit three (3) hard copies of the project proposal, including all appendices, and a CD-ROM with an electronic copy of all files to GeoConnections. See section 3 for more details.
If you wish to be considered for GeoConnections funding under this opportunity, you must ensure that your proposal (hard copies and CR-ROM) is received by GeoConnections no later than close of business (17:00) Eastern Standard Time, October 12, 2006.
The proposal should stand alone, as it will be evaluated on its own merits, based on criteria described in the Appendix of the Announcement of Opportunity. Project proponents should provide all the necessary information to allow for a full and fair evaluation of their proposed work.
Proposals must follow this template. Proposals that do not follow this template will not be evaluated.
Text in italics denotes instructions and should be replaced with your text while regular text identifies section headings and required text.
Title of proposed project
Project Proponent Organization
Date proposal sent
Proposal is valid until day, month, 2006
Announcement of opportunity code: 06AIC400
1 Project Summary
|
Title of Project |
Complete title of the proposed project | |
|---|---|---|
|
Proponent Name |
Name of the manager and organization name | |
|
Proponent Contact Information |
Complete contact information (name of contact, full mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address) | |
|
Start Date of Project |
Start date of project | |
|
End Date of Project |
End date of project | |
|
Duration of Project |
Duration of proposed project, in months | |
|
Project Cost |
Total project cost, in dollars | |
|
GeoConnections Funding |
Total amount of requested GeoConnections funding, in dollars | Total amount of requested GeoConnections funding, as a percentage of the total project cost |
|
Abstract |
Brief description (150 words or less), in plain language, of the proposed project. Include a summary of objectives, uniqueness, sustainability, keys to success, and management. Note the priority area to be supported for decision-making. | |
| Collaborators | Financial Contribution |
|---|---|
| Names of each collaborating organization | Corresponding financial contribution (cash and in-kind) of each organization, expressed in Canadian dollars and as a percentage of the total project cost |
Table of Contents
1
Project Summary
2 Project Description
2.1 Organization
Description
3 Collaborations
3.1 Project Team
4 Benefits to the end-user community
5 Information Sharing
6 Users needs
7 Sustainability and Commitment
7.1 Communications
Plan
8 Feasibility
9 Decision Making
10 CGDI Leverage
11 Data Content
12 Standards and Interoperability
13 Data Integration
14 Project Implementation Plan
14.1 Budget Summary
2 Project Description
Illustrate the purpose of the project and explain why it is being initiated. Clearly define the projects’ scope (what is and is not included), its objectives and outcomes. Describe the atlas and the intended results. Identify the applicable priority thematic area and explain how the project results will address priority issues within the thematic area. Identify the geographic region that the regional atlas will serve (name of community, township, province(s), etc). Identify the applicable priority thematic area and explain how the project results will address priority issues within the thematic area:
- Public Health
- Public Safety and Security
- Environment/Sustainable Development
- Aboriginal Issues
Please refer to section 2.5 in the announcement of opportunity for more information on responding to user needs
Note: Projects should be no longer than 15 months in duration and must finish no later than March 31, 2008.
2.1 Organization Description
Describe your organization: when your organization was founded, your business mandate, organizational structure and functions, factors that influence your business, and current products and services. Vision and mission statements may also be included.
3 Collaborations
List the organizations contributing to the project and note their role and interest in the project. The list must be corroborated by Letters of Collaboration from each organization that is contributing to the project. The Letter of Collaboration must include:
- an indication of the organization’s interest in the project,
- a description of the commitment they will make to the project in terms of cash and/or in-kind contributions.
- an explanation of the collaborator’s role in sustaining the project results past the funding period.
- the contact’s name and title, full postal address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, and organization’ website address.
Letters of Collaboration provided by government agencies at any level are to be signed by an individual at the senior management level (i.e., the person who has authority and responsibility for the allocation and commitment of the resources for this regional atlas).
3.1 Project Team
Describe the roles, responsibilities, key skills/relevant experience, and experience of each person assigned to the project including partners, collaborating organizations, and contractors, following the template below. A project organization chart can be included. Provide resumes for each person involved in the project as an appendix to the proposal.
Name: |
|
|---|---|
Organization: |
|
Role : |
|
Responsibilities: |
|
Key Skills: |
4 Benefits to the end-user community
Indicate how the proposed regional atlas will enhance decision making for your user group by using geospatial information and the CGDI, including anticipated social, cultural, economic, or environmental benefits. Explain the importance of how the CGDI will be used as a means for the organization to share information and make better decisions.
5 Information Sharing
Describe the approach for the dissemination and licensing of geospatial information. You may refer to The Dissemination Of Government Geographic Data In Canada - Guide To Best Practices (http://www.geoconnexions.org/en/resourcelibrary/keyStudiesReports)
Clearly define the levels of data sharing by indicating any access and use constraints. Explain the modes of access, for instance, local network access only, CGDI services, ftp.
6 Users needs
Identify the main users of the proposed regional atlas. Provide the findings of the business case, and any user-needs assessment as appendix. Explain how the main end users of the proposed atlas will use it to make decisions. Explain why this proposed atlas responds to their needs. Please refer to section 2.5 in the announcement of opportunity for more information on responding to user needs.
7 Sustainability and Commitment
Describe plans for maintenance and/or further development of the proposed atlas for years 2 through 5. Identify who (organization and staff and/or resources) will be responsible for maintaining the proposed atlas beyond GeoConnections’ funding. Demonstrate that the organization has an existing, active governance structure and a mandate to maintain the atlas. Include any supporting materials such as a content management and geospatial information accountability matrix, the list of data custodians with their roles and responsibilities can be included. A description on how further enhancement requests will be handled within the end-user community must be included.
Following the user-centric design approach, iterative development of the proposed atlas begins after entering into production mode of operation. It includes those activities that are required to maintain a satisfactory level of performance for the atlas. The following types of change requirements are typical to a production Atlas:
- recovery from as Atlas failure resulting from a browser, web service or hardware error
- recovery and resolution of an atlas error resulting from a program bug
- a user request to enhance an atlas ease of use or to extend its information reporting capabilities
- vendor upgrades to remain compliant with maintenance agreements or improve package functionality
- implementation of new or emerging standards and specifications
7.1 Communications Plan
Describe how you will share and disseminate project results within your user community and how you will establish links with other initiatives. Identify approaches you will use to promote use of the proposed atlas to your target users.
8 Feasibility
Identify and evaluate potential challenges or risks in completing and/or sustaining the project, its severity (high, medium, or low), the probability of the risk occurring (high, medium, or low) and the mitigation strategies for dealing with each risk. Reference to past research, pilot projects, demonstrations, previous experience, and reports can be used in the risk analysis. Evaluate the mitigation statements against the Project Implementation Plan for availability of resources and flexibility to address potential risks.
| Risk | Severity | Probability | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business risks | |||
| Technical/technology risks (complexity) | |||
| Commitment risks | |||
| Organizational structure and its authority over the use and sustainability of the atlas | |||
| Institutional challenges (departmental, organizational, partnerships) | |||
| Access to data risks | |||
| Resource risks (financial or human) such as the availability of qualified personnel and experience | |||
| Policy issues | |||
| Project dependencies |
9 Decision Making
Describe some decision scenarios as outputs of using the atlas. Which type of geospatial information is used and to what actions it has led (or will support) the end-user in his decision making process. Under which mandate or responsibilities the end-users will make use of the atlas on a day to day basis. For anonymous public end-users, what interests or expected benefits are driving them to use the atlas for their decisions and future actions?Describe the anticipated frequencies of access to the atlas per end-users. If the frequency is high, describe the activities or operations that justify the volume of access. If the frequency is low, for annual planning for example, explain why the Atlas a better resource for more informed decisions.
10 CGDI Leverage
Using the table below, you must list and explain what existing CGDI standards, services, framework data and technologies will be leveraged and how they will enable the proposed atlas. See the GeoConnections website under Developers' Corner for more information on CGDI-endorsed standards: (http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/standards ).
| CGDI-endorsed standard/specification, service, data or technology | Use in proposed atlas | Associated existing data to be used |
|---|---|---|
| WMS | Data visualization | Hydrology |
11 Data Content
Projects must be based on CGDI technologies, standards and specifications and must share data between organizations. Using the table below, list and explain new services that enable access to data to be deployed in support of the atlas. Also list any new technology that may be developed to build the atlas.
Describe how and with whom the proposed project shares data or information products outside your organization. See the GeoConnections website under Developers' Corner for more information on CGDI-endorsed standards: (http://www.geoconnections.org/en/communities/developers/standards ).
| CGDI-endorsed standard/specification, service, data or technology | Use in proposed atlas | Associated existing data to be used |
|---|---|---|
| WMS | Data visualization | Hydrology |
12 Standards and Interoperability
Describe your interoperability goals or current activities. Interoperability is the ability of an atlas or component of an atlas to access a variety of heterogeneous resources by means of a single, unchanging operational interface.
"To be interoperable, one should actively be engaged in the ongoing process of ensuring that the systems, procedures and culture of an organisation are managed in such a way as to maximize opportunities for exchange and re-use of information, whether internally or externally."
Paul Miller (2002)
Interoperability facilitates information sharing, and provides the freedom to mix and match information system components without compromising overall success. Data integration is facilitated by the use of thematic data standards and models. Describe how interoperability will allow users to:
- Find information, services, and applications when they are needed, independent of physical location;
- Understand and employ the discovered information and tools, no matter what platform supports them, whether local or remote; and
- Evolve a processing environment for commercial use without being constrained
to a single vendor’s offerings.
13 Data Integration
Identify and discuss means of integrating regional datasets to produce value-added information to populate the proposed atlas, including existing standard procedures or best practices, or plans to develop and apply data models and standards that enable comprehensive integration of disparate, distributed datasets originating from multiple regional organizations. In addition, identify and discuss how integrated data made available by the regional atlas can be further integrated into other CGDI compliant national information systems such as the Atlas of Canada. In support of this discussion, note how CGDI framework data will support data integration activities to allow roll-up of atlas information into national systems.
Describe how your organization will allow for sharing of data and services through transparent access, regardless of jurisdiction or any proprietary data storage formats.
Describe how the atlas will deal with semantic interoperability which refers to applications interpreting data consistently in the same manner in order to provide the intended representation of the data.
14 Project Implementation Plan
Complete the table below. The schedule of work is left to the discretion of the project proponent. Deliverables as well as requests for payments are to be linked to these milestones. The amount of the payments for each milestone should be specified. (Note that information populating the table below is provided as an example and should be replaced with actual information pertaining to the proposed project).
- Column 1 “WBS” - identifies a number for each task and milestones.
- Column 2 “Task and work breakdown” – describes each task and milestone.
- Column 3 “Duration (days)”is the length of time in working days that the activity will take.
- Column 4 “Organizations” - indicate the name of the organization responsible for the task.
- Column 5 “Team Members Name” – identifies the actual personnel assigned to carry out the tasks described for the milestone.
- Column 6 “Role/Title” – describes the employees function.
- Column 7 “Days effort/pers” - indicates the level of effort in days for each team member.
- Column 8 “Per diem” is the individuals’ daily rate. This includes employee benefits up to a maximum of 20 percent. An explanation on how the per diem rate was calculated should be provided. A typical way to calculate labour (labour-rate formula) is: reasonable annual salary, plus reasonable overhead and benefits, divided by a 260.88 billable days in a year. Labour rates must be exclusive of profit. In the case of government personnel, official government rate or rates according to classification level should be used.
- Column 9 “Deliverables” - indicates all the outputs to be delivered at the milestone.
- Column 10 “Start Date” – indicates the date at which the first activity begins.
- Column 11 “Delivery Date” - indicates the date for delivery of the final deliverable of a particular milestone.
- Column 12 “Total Cost” - indicates the cost, excluding taxes (whether funded by cash or in-kind contribution) of the task to be carried out.
(Click to enlarge - Opens in a new browser)
(Click here to download the .xls version of this table. )
14.1 Budget Summary
This table provides a budget summary that identifies the project costs and the contributions per collaborating organization. The table conveys eligible expenses incurred by each organization and classification of each expense as a cash or in-kind contribution. A description of each “Project Expense” item should be provided in the description cell. Additional columns can be added for more organizations.
The maximum amount of funding from GeoConnections is $100,000 and must not exceed 50 percent of the project cost.
Financial statements and Invoices should be provided to GeoConnections after milestone deliverables are received, for payment. Invoices to be provided should follow the format of the budget summary table with the addition of the milestone number, name and brief description.
Notes:
- Total federal government assistance cannot exceed 75% of the total cost of the project. However, for Aboriginal organizations INAC funding for core services should not be counted as Federal.
- An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Conseil exécutif (L.R.Q., chapter M-30). Certain entities, such municipal bodies, school bodies or public agencies, must obtain an authorization, before signing any agreement with the Government of Canada.
- Data conversion critical to the project may be claimed.
- Costs associated with publishing data to CGDI services such as to implement data servers, to prepare data for publishing, will be considered.
- Ineligible Project Costs Include:
- Costs related to the collection, purchase, acquisition, or value of existing data. Data collection activities cannot be claimed as in-kind even if the data is deemed critical to the success of the project and the data collection takes place within the project time frame.
- Profit
- Pre-project costs
- Background Intellectual Property
- Hardware. Computers, GPS and surveying equipment cannot
be amortized over the life of the project.
Budget Summary |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Expense and Description | Organization A | Organization B | GeoConnections | Total Project Costs Taxes (GST, PST and HST) not eligible |
||
| In-kind | Cash | In-kind | Cash | Cash | Cash | |
| Labour (including benefits – max 20%) ‘In-kind’ is for people already employed by an organization ‘Cash’ is for new contracts; people hired for this specific project |
||||||
| Software List all the software to be used and its purchase price/licensing amortized over the life of the software and the project duration. For example ArcGIS cost $5,000. Life of 5 years. Duration of project 1 year = $1,000 allowed. ‘In-kind’ is used if you already possess the software ‘Cash’ if you are buying the software for this project |
||||||
| Training Explain who is taking the training, why the training is required, who is providing the training, and the number of days/hours of training Place it under ‘Cash’ if you are paying for the training from an organization not financially contributing towards the project Note:
Training should not exceed 15% of the total project cost. |
||||||
| Materials, Supplies, Components In-kind costs cannot be on-going operational costs; for example if your organization pays rent (or electricity or gas) for its office as part of on-going operations, it cannot be claimed as an in-kind contribution since the cost would be incurred regardless of this project. Administrative costs (postage, courier, photocopying), costs for telecommunications (fax, telephone), meeting rooms, etc. can be claimed. Overhead costs should be explained as they may be operational costs. |
||||||
| Travel and Living Travel expenses should be detailed. Invoices for transportation and accommodation will need to be provided for repayment. Meals and incidentals will be reimbursed as per Treasury Board Travel Directive at http://publiservice.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol /hrpubs/TBM_113/td-dv_e.asp. A kilometric rate which includes gas and vehicle usage is used for private transportation. |
||||||
| Subcontracts Identify the subcontractor. Tasks and days effort should be identified in the work breakdown. Copies of contracts with consultants or other contracted services must be included and supported by invoices for repayment. |
||||||
| Other | ||||||
| TOTAL COSTS | ||||||
| Percentage | ||||||
(Click here to download the .xls version of this table. )
Annex: Additional Relevant Information
Additional relevant information such as project team resumes, existing
business case, sustainability analyses, prototypes, and reports on relevant
projects as well as user-needs assessments can be included in this section.
Appendix C:
Integrated Approaches to Regional Decision Making
Defining Regional Atlas
IC-Announcement code: 06AIC400
May 31, 2006
1.0 Regional Atlas Overview
GeoConnections defines a regional atlas as a body of integrated information, built by multiple stakeholders in consultation with an end-user group, covering a continuous piece of geography, which feeds decision-making processes with rich, contextual, geospatial information that is highly relatable to many users of diverse background.
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Through an Announcement of Opportunity (http://www.geoconnections.org/en/opportunities), GeoConnections is sponsoring the development of regional atlases that increase the online availability, access and use of distributed geospatial data content. These atlases will enhance understanding of the complexities, challenges, and effort required in utilizing spatial data infrastructures and distributed data, in an atlas format, to improve decision-making capability for a user community on an issue of significance to that community. |
|
Intelligent decision-making at a local or regional scale requires multilateral sharing of geospatial and non-geospatial data. In partnership with Canadian organizations, GeoConnections intends to use the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) to enable regional atlases as online, interactive collections of geospatial information representing one or more thematic areas (sustainable development and the environment, Aboriginal issues, public health, and public safety) of importance to Canadians. |
|
A regional atlas normally contains a series of thematic maps, which is a class of map showing the spatial distribution of a particular phenomenon in qualitative or quantitative graphic form. It is the opposite of base or reference maps, which shows fundamental information about the Earth’s surface and are used as a vocational reference base for thematic data. Almost any subject that can be expressed as a geographical distribution can be mapped. Examples of thematic map subjects include spread of infectious diseases, crime statistics for a neighbourhood or the historical flood areas. |
2.0 Purpose
This document states what GeoConnections defines as the characteristics of a regional atlas, as well as indicating the role regional atlases will play within the Canadian Geospatial Infrastructure (CGDI).
3.0 GeoConnections, CGDI and Key Users
A brief introduction of GeoConnections, the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure, and the key communities of practice using the CGDI, is important to frame the discussion around regional atlases, and the GeoConnections Regional Atlas activity.
3.1 GeoConnections
GeoConnections is a national partnership program led by Natural Resources Canada to build the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). The CGDI is an on-line resource that enables Canadians to use and combine geographic information (e.g., maps, satellite images) over the Internet to gain new insights and aid in decision making. GeoConnections is mandated to support decision-making processes on issues surrounding public health, public safety and security, environment and sustainable development and issues of importance to Aboriginal populations.
3.2 Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI)
The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure strives to provide Canadians with on-demand access to geospatial information through an interoperable, standards-based network built by a host of data, service, and technology suppliers. The infrastructure is designed to break down information silos by encouraging sharing, in pursuit of particular policy and business requirements. Through the infrastructure, users can discover, visualize, access and apply geospatial data and services. Ideally, replication of data is reduced and decision making is streamlined when people can access authoritative data with ease.
The CGDI comprises the following four key components: 1) national framework data—the base layers required to develop applications; 2) common data policies to make data easier to access; 3) technical standards that allow users to share data; and 4) technologies that enable people to develop on-line mapping applications. With these four key components, the CGDI serves as a common foundation for key government information systems, as well as for third-party service delivery.
The CGDI is a distributed, not a centralized, solution. It enables providers to maintain control over their data, and know that there are privacy and security safeguards in place when they share their information over the Internet with users. The CGDI enables the online use of current and accurate data directly from its source, minimizing the need to duplicate or copy it.
3.3 Evolving the CGDI to meet users' needs
GeoConnections is working to better understand and answer the needs of users in four key areas:
- Sustainable development and the environment,
- Aboriginal issues,
- Public health, and
- Public safety
Our goal is collaborating with these communities of practice to further develop the CGDI into an operational asset for end users working in these key areas, when planning and making decisions. See Section 2.5 in the Regional Atlas Announcement of Opportunity (06AIC400) for more information.
4.0 Defining Regional Atlas
A term such as "regional atlas" leaves broad latitude for interpretation. However, GeoConnections’ specific approach to the concept of regional atlas allows for a clear definition to be offered:
A regional atlas is a body of integrated information pertaining to a user-defined area of interest, containing data originating from two or more different sources, assembled by multiple stakeholders, directed by the needs of a fully engaged user community, wishing to pool and add value to data resources to achieve a common goal or answer a common issue. Information is power: by pooling and integrating information in order to reach a common goal, stakeholders gain an advantage over the issue they are concerned with. The information contained within the regional atlas can be geographic and non-geographic. The end result: rich, contextual, integrated information that is highly relatable to many users of diverse backgrounds and training.
4.1 Regional atlases and the CGDI
A regional atlas, as a body of integrated data, can feed many decision-making processes with rich, contextual information. Traditionally, this information would be presented as a book or other media, or even an online product. Today, the CGDI can enable a regional atlas to achieve depth and pervasiveness previously unknown.
The CGDI is built upon Open GIS (http://www.opengeospatial.org/) standards and specifications for data discovery, visualization, access and analysis in an open, distributed, electronic environment. As an enabling infrastructure, the CGDI can unleash the potential of regional scale data to provide much needed geospatial content to the ever-expanding body of information accessible over the Internet, in ways that allow use and reuse of the data to answer many different purposes. In addition, the data, services and applications now available through the CGDI can amplify the impact of a previously isolated or "siloed" collection of information.
|
Marrying the concept of an online atlas with the principles of the CGDI, while focusing on a thematic area or issue of prime importance, is what GeoConnections is achieving through its Regional Atlas activity. The CGDI offers both the capability to liberate and share geospatial information online, and the ability to discover and leverage a virtual warehouse of distributed data and services. And GeoConnections, by coordinating and endorsing the development of data models and standards, enables comprehensive integration of disparate, interjurisdictional distributed datasets. This environment, coupled with the added value of supplementary information such as narrative text, data portrayed in tables and charts, photographs, pictures, etc., will increases the relevance of and usability of regional atlases for seasoned geomatics professionals and non-geomatics users alike. Increased relevance and usability to a growing audience will result in increased utilization of the CGDI in support of planning, decision making and business. |
4.2 Regional atlases and CGDI-Enabled National Information Systems
In some cases, national decision-makers require the ability to scale down from the national to regional level on issues of concern. However, current gaps in data content accessible via the CGDI limit the availability of integrated regional data content. This in turn limits ability to fully leverage Internet-based information systems and applications for decision-making.Regional atlases will make regional scale information, via CGDI-endorsed standards and specifications, available to national scale information systems, such as the Atlas of Canada, making available added-value information to national systems wanting to drill down to a regional scale.
5.0 GeoConnections Regional Atlas
Regional Atlas occupies an interesting space within the mandate of GeoConnections, and will make unique and valuable contributions to the CGDI. Regional Atlas will answer several purposes over the course of its 2005-2010 mandate.
These include:
- Promoting and enabling data sharing and integration between multiple partners through the provision and endorsement of data standards;
- Furnishing integrated, regional scale, interjurisdictional data content to the CGDI via adherence to CGDI standards and specifications for data integration, discovery, visualization, access and analysis, in partnership with Canadian organizations;
- Ensuring that the data content made available to the CGDI is meaningful and usable by communities dealing within the four key thematic areas (see 3.3) by promoting user needs assessment and user-centric design;
- Integrating regional content into national scale systems and applications (such as the Atlas of Canada) in support of improved decision-making and increased granularity of information.
The Regional Atlas activity within GeoConnections is taking on the challenge
of constructing this new facet of the CGDI. For more information on GeoConnections
Regional Atlas, please visit www.geoconnections.org.
Appendix D
Form M-30 to be completed with respect to projects
originating from the province of Quebec
IC-Announcement code: 06AIC400
Form M-30 to be completed with respect to, An Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, R.S.Q., c. M-30.
This form must be completed by the person representing the organization. It must be used for funding applications pertaining to the Government of Canada’s programs and initiatives.
Please review the relevant provisions of the Act, complete and sign this form, and include this as part of the proposal (hard copies and CD-ROM)
Project Title:
Name of Entity (Organization):
Program:
1) Under section 3.11, is the applicant (proposed payee) a municipal body or school body (defined below) within the meaning of 3.6.2 of the Act?
Yes ___ No ___
2) Under section 3.12, is the applicant (proposed payee) a public agency within the meaning of section 3.6.2 of the Act?
Yes ___ No ___
3) If an agreement is signed between applicant and the Government of Canada, will the agreement affect a government agency, municipal body, school body or public agency within the meaning of the Act?
Yes ___ No ___
If you answered “No” to all three questions, please sign this form and attach it to your application along with any appropriate supporting documents.
If you answered “Yes” to any question, you must do the following:
- Contact (as soon as possible) the program officer in charge of your project for advice on how to proceed.
- Obtain the authorization from the Quebec government or the Minister of Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs (as the case may be) before signing the contribution agreement.
- Provide a copy of this authorization.
I, Name and Title of representative, certify that I have read and understood all the information above, and that the information I have supplied is accurate. Signature of representative: _____________________________________________
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Excerpts from An Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif R.S.Q., c. M-30
3.6.2. In this subdivision,
"government agency" means a legal person or agency that, under its constituting Act, is empowered to make inquiries, issue permits or licences or make regulations for purposes other than its internal management and, if it is a legal person, has one of the following characteristics:
(1) it is the mandatory or agent of the State or of another government in Canada;
(2) it enjoys the rights and privileges of a mandatory or agent referred to
in paragraph 1;
"municipal body" means
(1) a municipality;
(2) a metropolitan community;
(3) a legal person or body that has one of the following characteristics:
(a) a majority of its members are appointed by one or more municipal bodies;
(b) more than half of its financing is provided by one or more municipal bodies;
(4) a group of municipal bodies;
"school body" means
(1) a school board;
(2) the Conseil scolaire de l’île de Montréal;
(3) a legal person or body that has one of the following characteristics:
(a) a majority of its members are appointed by one or more school bodies;
(b) more than half of its financing is provided by one or more school bodies;
(4) a group of school bodies.
“public agency” means
(1)a legal person or agency that, although not a government agency, a municipal
body or a school body, has one of the following characteristics:
(a) a majority of its members come from the Québec
public sector, that is, are appointed by the Government, a minister, a government
agency, a municipal body, a school body or another public agency;
(b) its personnel is appointed in accordance with the
Public Service Act (chapter F 3.1.1);
(c) more than half of its financing is derived from
Québec public funds, that is from the consolidated revenue fund, a government
agency, a municipal body, a school body or another public agency;
(2) a group of public agencies;
3.11. Except to the extent expressly provided for by law, no municipal body or school body may, without the prior authorization of the Government, enter into any agreement with another government in Canada or one of its departments or government agencies, or with a federal public agency.
The Government may attach such conditions as it determines to the authorization.
Any contravention of the provisions of the first paragraph or any failure to comply with the conditions referred to in the second paragraph entails the nullity of the agreement.
The Minister, concurrently with the minister responsible for or the minister who subsidizes the municipal or school body, shall see to the negotiation of the agreement.
3.12. No public agency may, without the prior authorization of the Minister, enter into any agreement with another government in Canada or one of its departments or government agencies, or with a federal public agency.
The minister responsible for or the minister who subsidizes the public agency shall give an advisory opinion on the draft agreement to the Minister before the decision on the application for authorization is made.
The Minister may attach such conditions as he or she determines to the authorization. The Minister may, in particular, fix as a condition that the financing obtained under the agreement referred to in the first paragraph will not be subsequently taken into consideration to determine whether or not the agency is subject to this section.
Any contravention of the provisions of the first paragraph or any failure to comply with the conditions referred to in the third paragraph entails the nullity of the agreement.
The Minister, concurrently with the minister responsible for or the minister who subsidizes the public agency, shall see to the negotiation of the agreement.
3.12.1. No government agency, municipal body or school body may, without the prior authorization of the Government, permit or tolerate being affected by any agreement entered into between a third person and another government in Canada or one of its departments or government agencies, or a federal public agency.
The Government may attach such conditions as it determines to the authorization.
The first paragraph also applies to a public agency which, in that case, must obtain prior authorization in writing from the Minister, who may attach such conditions as he or she determines to the authorization. The minister responsible for or the minister who subsidizes the public agency shall give an advisory opinion to the Minister before the decision on the application for authorization is made.
For the purposes of the first paragraph, an agency or body is permitting or tolerating being affected by an agreement when, for instance, it enters into an agreement that is related to an agreement referred to in that paragraph.
Any contravention of the first or third paragraph or any failure to comply with the conditions referred to in the second or third paragraph entails, for the agency or body, the nullity of any stipulation or agreement having any effect whatever in its respect.
3.13. The Government, to such extent and subject to such conditions
as it determines, may exempt the whole or a part of an agreement or class of
agreements which it designates from the application of this division.