USGS Survey Chooses ORBIMAGE As Earth-Imagery Provider

Dulles, Va.-based ORBIMAGE, global provider of high-resolution Earth imagery products and services, won a multi-year contract from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). ORBIMAGE will use its OrbView-3 high-resolution satellite, launched June 26, 2003, to provide the USGS and its partner agencies with commercial satellite imagery.

The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a total estimated value of as much as $15 million during a three-year period. The contract also provides for volume discounts and more flexible licensing terms, so as to encourage the expanded use of commercial satellite imagery and faster, easier access to shared data.

“These contracts directly support the President’s Commercial Remote Sensing Space Policy, signed in 2003, by providing a centralized mechanism for civil agencies to acquire commercial remote sensing products to support their mission needs in an efficient and coordinated way,” said Barbara Ryan, USGS’ associate director for geography.