Over the next few weeks, GeoConnections will be issuing four new Announcements of Opportunity (AO) – each one with a different objective and target audience in mind:
- The first one will solicit proposals from end-users* and enablers** to develop online regional atlases intended to increase the availability and use of distributed data content online.
- The second AO will solicit proposals from data suppliers*** interested in publishing information and services to the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). The goal here is to increase the amount of location-based data available through a distributed network relating to GeoConnections’ four priority areas: public health, public safety, environment and sustainable development, and matters of importance to Aboriginal peoples.
- The third AO will solicit proposals from governments, academia, non-government organizations, and the private sector to develop strategic and business plans for using the CGDI within organizations, and to define user requirements for online or standalone applications that leverage the CGDI.
- The fourth AO will solicit proposals from end-users to develop online or standalone applications that leverage the CGDI and will enable decision-makers in the priority areas to access information in real time. This AO is intended for those who already have a solid understanding of user needs and who have a business case already developed for these applications.
Full details regarding these AOs will be posted to the Opportunities page of the GeoConnections web site as each opportunity is launched, and a notice will be sent out to stakeholders who have subscribed to the GeoConnections stakeholder mailing list.
Definitions:
* End-users utilize location-based data and information to influence or effect decision making.
** Enablers/Facilitators are government agencies/programs, non-government organizations, academia or private-sector interests that play a coordinating or supporting role in a policy/business area (e.g. regulatory agencies, think-tanks, advisory bodies)
*** Suppliers provide location-based data and web services. Developers create applications for users to interact with location-based data. Marketers sell/support location-based applications.