COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (CRADA) In creating and maintaining its TIGER (Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing) and MAF (Master Address File) databases the Census Bureau relies increasingly on input from State, local and Tribal governments, as well as from private industry and academic institutions. The traditional method, of requiring these groups to transfer their contributions to a Census-provided map, can be inefficient and time-consuming. Many of these groups want to provide their new and updated data in digital form, but the accuracy of the coordinates currently in the TIGER database makes it difficult, if not impossible in some areas, to take full advantage of digital data transfer from these groups. The Census Bureau believes that private industry has substantial expertise in the application of GIS/GPS technology to field mapping and data collection and that this expertise can be used to the benefit of both private industry and the Census Bureau. The Bureau would like to explore cooperative efforts with private sector companies to research and test the most effective means for using commercial software, GPS equipment, laptop computers, and imagery to capture improved coordinates for the centerlines of road features, feature intersections, and housing unit structures. The Bureau is interested in discussing cooperative research efforts, under the auspices of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement ("CRADA"), with qualified private companies involved in GIS/GPS mapping. Accordingly, the Census Bureau's Cooperative Research Laboratory invites proposals from interested parties regarding the possibility of entering into a CRADA to conduct joint research. The Census Bureau will be willing to enter into a CRADA with all qualified partners. All CRADAs will be undertaken pursuant to the Federal Technology Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. 3710a, which allows Federal laboratories to enter into cooperative research agreements with qualified parties. Under this law, the Census Bureau may provide personnel, service, facilities, equipment or other resources with or without reimbursement, but not funds. For further information, contact Joel Morrison, (301) 457-1132, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0001, e-mail: jmorrison@geo.census.gov.

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