DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHIC DATA BUSINESS PARTNER PROGRAM USGS Announces Digital Cartographic Data Business Partner Program. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has for many years maintained a network of affiliated distributors known as Business Partners. Participation in the Business Partner Program, until now, has consisted in large part of topographic map distributors. An effort to expand this Program into other USGS product lines, namely digital cartographic data, has been underway for several months. The USGS now seeks to enter into digital cartographic data Business Partner agreements with organizations interested in distributing USGS digital cartographic data. The initial program will include: digital line graph (DLG) data, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and digital orthophoto quadrangle (DOQ) data. These data will be offered to Business Partners at the cost of distribution, which will vary by data type. Following is information describing the Business Partner Program prices, minimum purchase requirements, and media types available. Data Type 1- DEM; Price per file- $0.50; Minimum Purchase Quantity (# Files)- 5000; Media Restriction- CD-Recordable (CD-R) or digital linear tape (DLT). Data Type 2 -- DLG; Price per File- $0.50; Minimum purchase Quantity- 5000; Media Restriction- CD-R or DLT. Data Type 3 -- DOQ (black & white); Price per File- $2.50; Minimum purchase Quantity- 1000; Media Restriction- DLT. Data Type 4 -- DOQ (color infrared); Price per File- $5.00; Minimum Purchase Quantity- 500; Media Restriction- DLT. Note: Digital raster graphic (DRG) data are not yet being offered under the Business Partner Program. Business Partners and others interested in participating the Program will be notified when the DRG's are available at the bulk purchase price. In the interim, DRG data remain available for purchase in 1-degree blocks on CD-R for $32 each. Since the principal purposes of the Business Partner Program are to increase the public distribution of USGS products and to relieve the USGS of some distribution workload, a requirement is that all data purchased through the Program be offered for resale either unenhanced or with added value. There are no copyright restrictions on USGS data. Organizations interested in participating in the USGS Digital Cartographic Data Business Partner Program must state so in writing. Letters of interest may be mailed or faxed to: David W. Terrell, Digital Cartographic Data Business Partner Program, USGS EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57105; FAX (605)594-6953. Prospective Business Partners will be required to sign agreements with USGS that outline the terms of the Program and activate the partnership. Questions on this Program may be directed to Mr. Terrell at (605)594-6079, or via e-mail to dterrell@usgs.gov. WEB: click here for more information on the Business Partner, http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/partners/bppgmmain.html. E-MAIL: click here to contact Mr. David Terrell, Program Coordinator, dterrell@usgs.gov..

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