The LiDAR RFP and You. 
By Eric Albrecht

Over the years, the trends in LiDAR RFP requirements have changed in scope & details.  When writing an effective RFP there are many requirements to consider.  Originally, meeting a specific contour interval or its photogrammetry equivalent was enough to get your suppliers’ flight plans underway and provide pricing.  However, with more understanding & acceptance of LiDAR in the industry, meeting more specific requirements such as horizontal & vertical accuracies along with spot spacing became key requirements. 

In the 1990s, meeting NSSDA ( National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy) became the foundation.  In 2002, FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners set the stage.  In 2010 the USGS’s National Geospatial Program (NGP) released the latest version (Version 13) of their LiDAR Guidelines and Base Specification that delineated a data standard that would adhere to the National Map base specifications.  Even the FAA & NOAA have their own guidelines for LiDAR mapping for airport obstruction surveys to facilitate airport growth & expansion.

With higher repetition-rate sensors now available from various LiDAR manufacturers, spatial resolution is another factor to consider.  Does your project require higher density data for applications such as 3D modeling, electric utilities, & forestry?  These higher point densities may require as many as 20 points per square meter, and call for specific sensor types & multiple flight passes.

With many Government agencies setting standards, and as technology improves, you have many options to consider.  In review, the most important items to cover are horizontal & vertical accuracies, spot spacing, point density, and contour and photo specifications.

As always, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line if you have any questions or ideas you’d like to discuss!

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