ESRI and NIMA Enter into $22.4 Million BPA for GIS Technology.

REDLANDS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1999--

ESRI, the world's leading geographic information system (GIS) software provider, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), the largest mapping and geospatial information organization in the world, have entered into a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with an estimated purchase value of $22.4 million for GIS software and software maintenance.

In addition to GIS software and maintenance, NIMA has the option to purchase software training and professional GIS services. This BPA was negotiated under ESRI's General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule Contract GS-35F-5086H and will allow NIMA to procure ESRI GIS software and software maintenance in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.

The BPA includes all of the ESRI GIS software family such as ArcInfo, a high-end GIS with capabilities for automation, modification, management, analysis, and display of geographic information; ArcView GIS, a powerful tool for the management, display, query, and analysis of spatial information; and ArcSDE, client/server software that allows users to store, manage, and quickly retrieve spatial data from leading commercial database management systems such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and Informix. It also includes ESRI application software known as the Production Line Tool Sets (PLTS), which are to support the generation and maintenance of standard soft-copy and hard-copy map products by NIMA, NIMA contractors, and NIMA coproduction organizations. The PLTS products currently support soft-copy production of Digital Nautical Charts, Vector Maps, Urban Vector Maps, and Foundation Feature Data as well as digital production of the following hard-copy products: Harbor and Approach Charts, Topographic Line Maps, and Joint Operations Graphics.

The BPA will save NIMA time and money by eliminating the need for repetitive, individual purchases from separately negotiated contracts for the same requirements within different NIMA organizations. Since the BPA is open to all NIMA customers and government contractors, it will also operate as a vehicle to consolidate purchases and GIS services work among these organizations. This BPA will enable all NIMA organizations to easily acquire ESRI's GIS software suite, which complies with federal data standards for open geospatial software. All licensing and contract obligations are already pre-negotiated via the GSA schedule in place with ESRI. Therefore, NIMA organizations, customers, and government contractors can choose a variety of configurations all the way from desktop to enterprisewide GIS solutions.

"Almost three years ago NIMA and ESRI leadership began discussions regarding the mutual benefits of ESRI making the business decision to offer their products on the GSA schedule. I am delighted to see the culmination of those initial discussions and those that took place over the past eighteen months. The signing of this GSA schedule BPA will afford both ESRI and NIMA a simplified approach to handling geospatial technology. It just makes good business sense for both parties. We encourage all of our vendors to hop onboard with GSA for many reasons, the most notable being saving time and money," says Clay Ancell of the NIMA commercial office.

NIMA was established in 1996 as a member of the intelligence community and a Department of Defense combat support agency. NIMA was created to accelerate the fusion of geospatial information and imagery intelligence and to meet growing customer needs for a common, digital view of the mission space. NIMA is committed to delivering the imagery and geospatial information that gives national policymakers and military users the information edge.

"This is exciting because a relationship with NIMA means we have the opportunity to serve the nation's premier mapping organization," says Jack Dangermond, president, ESRI. "Involvement in NIMA's mission through this BPA is something that ESRI is extremely proud of. The BPA will help NIMA more quickly and effectively procure GIS technology that will enable NIMA to fulfill its critical mission of providing timely, accurate maps, and information."

ESRI has had a decade-long relationship with NIMA, helping NIMA to implement and use GIS tools for mission-critical applications. ESRI's first NIMA program was the Digital Chart of the World, which was followed by data production contracts for Digital Nautical Charts and Vector Map data. ESRI served as a subcontractor on the Hydrographic Source Assessment System and Navigation Safety System programs. ESRI staff has supported NIMA and its customers at various military commands. Both the NIMA prototyping facility and several NIMA production cells develop NIMA products using ESRI technology. ESRI is also supporting NIMA to implement GIS within defense organizations through many other programs.

No matter what requirements NIMA has for ESRI GIS software and services, the BPA will provide the vehicle of choice. For more information on the NIMA BPA contact Tara Lyn Helfeldt in the ESRI-Washington, D.C., office at 703-506-9515, extension 8044.