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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024_Bozeman_Proposal_AGI Aero-Graphics, Inc. Bailey Costello 40 West Oakland Avenue Salt Lake City, UT 84115 tel: 801.487.3273 fax: 801.487.3313 email: bcostello@aero-graphics.com City of Bozeman, Montana Request for Proposals Digital Orthoimagery and LiDAR Acquisition November 29, 2023 November 29, 2023 Gail Jorgenson GIS Program Manager City of Bozeman, MT P.O. Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 Subject: Request for Proposals - Digital Orthoimagery and LiDAR Acquisition Dear Gail, Aero-Graphics is pleased to respond with this proposal for digital imagery and LiDAR acquisition and processing services as outlined in the above-referenced RFP. We have assembled a team of qualified professionals with the expertise necessary to deliver high-quality mapping and analysis on schedule at a cost-effective price. Please consider the following strengths that uniquely qualify the Aero-Graphics team for this contract: • Aero-Graphics has nearly 55 years of aerial mapping experience, including a working relationship with the City of Bozeman in 2018, 2021, and 2023. • Aero-Graphics owns and operates the best and latest equipment for aerial data acquisition. Our Optech Galaxy Prime LiDAR sensor is paired with our Phase One iXU- RS-1000 medium format camera to provide unsurpassed data accuracy and quality. • Aero-Graphics is a full-service aerial mapping company with licensed Professional Land Surveyors on staff and a reliable Montana-licensed survey subcontractor (Robert Peccia & Associations) who has current experience working with the City of Bozeman providing civil engineering services. Should you have any questions or require further information, please call me at (801) 487-3273 or email at bcostello@aero-graphics.com. Thank you for considering Aero-Graphics for this contract. Sincerely, AERO-GRAPHICS, INC. Bailey Costello, Project Manager City of Bozeman, MT Digital Orthoimagery and LiDAR Table of Contents a. Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 2 b. Firm Profile .................................................................................................. 2 c. Description of Proposed Solution ................................................................. 3 d. Scope of Project ......................................................................................... 14 e. Related Experience with Projects Similar to the Scope of Services .............. 15 f. Statement of Qualifications ........................................................................ 19 g. References ................................................................................................. 19 h. Present and Projected Workloads ............................................................... 20 i. Key Personnel ............................................................................................. 22 j. Additional Information ............................................................................... 27 k. Affirmation of Nondiscrimination & Equal Pay ............................................ 28 l. Pricing……………………………………… ................................................................ 29 2 | P a g e a. Executive Summary Aero-Graphics, Inc., an SBA-registered small business, highly values this opportunity to provide the City of Bozeman with LiDAR, digital orthoimagery, building footprints, and sidewalks to support its regulatory, land management, planning, and engineering projects. Aero-Graphics is uniquely qualified and has demonstrated its proficiency at performing wide-area image and LiDAR acquisition projects on time, on budget, and of the highest quality for numerous County governments, regional consortiums, City governments, and Federal government agencies throughout the United States. We were honored to have the opportunity to perform the 2018 City of Bozeman Digital Orthoimagery and LiDAR Data Collection, the 2021 Digital Orthoimagery project, and the 2023 Digital Orthoimagery project. We value the friendships we built during the project and are looking forward to working with you again. At every stage of the project, Aero-Graphics strives to add value above and beyond the minimum requirements. Our twin engine Cessna T310R and top-of-the-line Optech Galaxy LiDAR sensor and Phase One digital camera system will be assigned to the City of Bozeman Project for a simultaneous flight. The Optech Galaxy sensor is equipped with SwathTRAK, which dynamically adjusts the scan FOV in real time during data acquisition. Above all, Aero-Graphics is recognized for its superior project management, responsiveness, and excellent communication. Weekly progress reports with clear visualizations of project status are provided and can easily be distributed to all project stakeholders. Aero-Graphics is confident that its strengths will ensure the success of the City of Bozeman project, as well as the long-term success of the City of Bozeman and its partners’ future projects. We look forward to an opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities on this contract. b. Firm Profile Aero-Graphics is the fastest growing geospatial company in the Intermountain West. We have been in business for over 55 years and have had the same stable ownership for the last 40 years. Aero-Graphics, Inc. Bailey Costello, Project Manager 40 West Oakland Avenue Salt Lake City, UT 84115 tel: 801.487.3273 fax: 801.487.3313 www.aero-graphics.com bcostello@aero-graphics.com 3 | P a g e c. Description of Proposed Solution Target Placement and Control Surveying | Prior to photography, Robert Peccia and Associates will target and survey 20 aerial control points, 20 Non-vegetated Vertical Accuracy checkpoints, and 5 Vegetated Vertical Accuracy checkpoints, shown below. Control and checkpoints will follow USGS and FEMA vertical accuracy standards. LiDAR control will be in flat areas at least 10 feet away from terrain breaks and above ground features. The slope will be 15% or less. LiDAR NVA check points will be surveyed same as lidar control, in flat areas without vegetation and low slope. LiDAR VVA check points will be surveyed in vegetated areas with low slope and flat ground under/surrounding the vegetation. Control will tie to both UTM Zone 12 and Montana State Plane Coordinates. Horizontal datum shall be NAD 83 (2011); Vertical datum shall be NAVD 1988. Working units shall be in Meters. Horizontal and vertical control for all targets will be accurate to within 5 cm. Aero-Graphics will provide a Survey Control Report to the City of Bozeman in XLS format with the following information included: AGPS/IMU coordinates (XYZ OPK), NAD83 Latitudes, NAD83 Longitudes, Project Eastings, Project Northings, Elevations, and description of equipment and software used in processing. Targets will be 1’ wide x 6’ arms. Targets will be in contrast with the ground and clearly visible from the air. Monuments will be flush with the ground (or otherwise noted in the control listing). 4 | P a g e Aircraft | Aero-Graphics owns and operates seven (7) aircraft, all based out of Bountiful, Skypark Airport KBTF, just minutes north of our main Salt Lake City office and processing center. Our twin-engine Cessna T310R and Optech Galaxy and Phase One LiDAR and Imagery co-collect system will be dedicated to the City of Bozeman Project to ensure proper and timely delivery. We own and operate two co-collect systems. In the unlikely event that the assigned aircraft becomes unavailable, one of the others can replace it with ease. Each aircraft is maintained and operated with strict adherence to all FAA regulations. IFR instrumentation and other equipment necessary to operate within Class A airspace is standard on all our aircraft, and all are equipped with survey-grade GPS for precise acquisition over required areas. The sensor openings on the underside of each aircraft (pictured below) have been fabricated such that the camera lenses are open to the outside. Metal shields have been installed that protect the camera lenses from oil and exhaust, while leaving the camera’s field of view unobstructed. As part of Aero-Graphics’ Risk Management System (RMS), every lift requires a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft. This includes the following: • Fuel Level – Instrumental and Visual • Aileron and Control Surface freedom of movement • Engine Oil Level • Propeller Condition • Landing Gear Condition Our aircraft are professionally maintained by Aero Services, LLC located at our home base of Bountiful, Skypark Airport KBTF. Aero Services provides an on-the-shelf inventory of key parts for all of our aircraft, and prioritizes our planes’ maintenance and repairs above all others. When maintenance or repairs are required away from base, we carefully select trustworthy maintenance providers such as Tac Air, who understand the nature of aerial survey and will provide fast, quality service. Our twin-engine Cessna T310R with our Optech Galaxy/ Phase One LiDAR and Imagery co-collect system will be dedicated to the City of Bozeman Project to ensure proper and timely delivery. 5 | P a g e LiDAR and Digital Camera System | In 2018, Aero-Graphics purchased the Optech Galaxy PRIME, one of the most productive LiDAR sensors available in the industry. After having proven it over ~13,000 square miles in Utah and nearly 50,000 additional square miles over one year, we purchased a second Galaxy PRIME in Spring 2019 to efficiently meet the demands of our state and federal clientele. Core to the Galaxy PRIME is high efficiency and accuracy, due mainly to Teledyne Optech’s patent-pending SwathTRAK technology. SwathTRAK dynamically adjusts the Galaxy’s scan FOV in real time during data acquisition, enabling constant-width data swaths and constant point density, even in highly variable terrain — effectively enabling us to survey the steep faces of the Rockies and the Sierras as if they were flat! The result is far fewer flight lines to collect and process, and a consistent point distribution whether on high peaks or valley bottoms. The PRIME features a 1 MHz effective pulse, providing on-the-ground point density and efficiency formerly reserved for dual-beam sensors. The pulse rate allows higher acquisition altitudes, which widens the on-ground point cloud swath while maintaining the same high point density. In addition, a faster scan frequency (mirror oscillation) and a smaller beam divergence enable faster flight velocities while improving the horizontal point distribution (squareness) throughout the point cloud. Up to 8 returns per pulse are recorded for increased vertical resolution of complex targets without the need for full waveform recording and processing. Industry-leading data precision and accuracy (<5cm RMSEz for PRIME) results in the highest-quality datasets possbile. The sensor features roll compensation that adjusts the mirror to maintain the full scan angle integrity in relation to nadir, even when less than perfect wind or other conditions push the sensor off nadir. They are also equipped with precision GPS/IMU units that continually record the XYZ position and roll, pitch, and yaw attitude of the aircraft throughout the flight. This information allows us to refine laser return laser data positions that are natively imprecise due to the plane’s natural movement. The Galaxy can be paired with our Phase One iXU-RS-1000 medium format digital cameras in either a gyro-stabilized or a fixed mount customized for simultaneous LiDAR and imagery acquisition. These cameras can provide 4-band imagery (RGBI), as required for this project. LiDAR and imagery with no temporal difference can be very valuable for actively changing areas. The imagery from the Phase One can be used for both photogrammetric mapping and orthorectification. We have proven this simultaneous LiDAR/imagery approach on many projects of hundreds of square miles each. The LiDAR sensor is equipped with Optech FMS-NAV Flight Management System Software. FMS-NAV is the latest release from Optech and is not only used to guide the airborne mission in flight but is tightly coupled to our Optech’s flight planning software, Airborne Mission Manager. This smooth transition from flight planning to aerial operations eliminates discrepancies between the flight plan and what is actually acquired. During acquisition, the use of FMS-NAV helps ensure an accurate and consistent acquisition mission with real-time quality control while still airborne. The system operator monitors the point density and swath during the mission to confirm adequate coverage within the area of interest. 6 | P a g e Our LiDAR collection protocols are rigorous and deliberate. Calibration test flights are performed frequently to verify computation of lever arms and to ensure the relative and absolute accuracy of the system. Operational procedures include detailed flight planning and parameter settings to guarantee obtaining the nominal pulse density with 100% coverage. These include careful determination of scan angle and flight altitude configurations to meet pulse density specifications; >30% overlap of flight lines to ensure multi-angle laser penetration and characterization of features; terrain following; coordination of flight headings with terrain contours; and GPS/IMU/boresighting coordination to result in indiscernible line-to-line differences in point locations. Thorough survey and control ground control procedures are also critical to enabling corrections for aircraft position, calibrating flight lines, and verification of accuracies. Flight Plan | Track’Air flight planning software is used to create flight plans for each area. This takes into account all project requirements, including boundaries and associated buffers, GSD, forward/sidelap, flightline orientations, etc. The plan is then verified for project conformity by another member of the Aerial Department. Special focus is given here to ensure that all area boundaries and buffers are stereo-covered and that no overlap or sidelap gaps exist, especially in areas with high relief. Flight plan coverage and specifications are displayed on the next page. Trimble Planning software is used to determine the Positional Dilution of Precision (PDOP) for the project location. PDOP is used as a gauge for the overall quality of the GPS signal. A PDOP value under 3.0 is desired for the best accuracy possible, and we strive to fly in PDOP windows below 3.0. In addition, we observe forecasts and always fly with a Kp Index below 4.0 to minimize geomagnetic field disturbances caused by solar particle radiation, which can negatively affect the quality of the GPS signal. 7 | P a g e City of Bozeman Flight Plan Specs Aircraft Cessna 310 Sensor Galaxy PRIME and Phase One GSD 7.62 cm Points per Square Meter 9.39 Altitude (ft AGL) 2,717 Forward Overlap 60% Side Overlap 63% LiDAR Side Overlap 30% Lines 81 Images 3234 Co-collect Lidar Flight Lines Co-collect Imagery Flight Lines 8 | P a g e Flight Execution | Prior to take-off, ground verification of all aviation equipment and camera systems is performed to ensure everything is functional and safe. Once in the air, the flight management system (FMS) provides GPS-based guidance information to the first flight line. Calibration of all systems (FMS/GPS/IMU, as appropriate) takes place during a 5-minute initialization period before any exposures are taken. With the Phase One, digital images are reviewed as they are collected to ensure they meet target project tolerances (position, ground conditions, smoke, clouds, shadows, etc.). Corrections for airplane roll, pitch, and yaw are performed automatically by the gyro-stabilized mount, which is controlled by the IMU and UltraNAV flight management system. All systems are constantly monitored during flight execution. With these QC steps in place, immediate reflights are undertaken if any component falls outside of specifications. Once the flight mission is complete, all data storage media and pilot flight logs are returned to Aero-Graphics for processing. Post-Acquisition Image Inspection | Image inspection is one of the most important parts of our Quality Delivery System. Each image is viewed and graded by a post-flight inspector before insertion into the subsequent photogrammetric workflows. Inspection is conducted against the following parameters: • Proper project area coverage, buffer, flight direction, and sufficient overlap • Acceptable atmospheric and ground conditions • Images well-defined (free from blur) All results of inspection are retained in the production framework. Relative LiDAR Data Calibration | Using TerraMatch/TerraScan software, we then perform relative calibration by correcting for roll, pitch, heading, and scale discrepancies between adjacent flight lines and test the resulting relative accuracy to ensure interswath overlap consistencies ≤ 8cm RMSDz and ≤ 16cm max. Relative vertical accuracy is also assessed by smooth surface repeatability in a single swath over hard, flat surfaces. Repeatability will not exceed 6cm. A relative accuracy data quality polygon feature class overlay is created depicting the limited isolated areas exceeding USGS standards. Digital images are reviewed in the air as they are collected to ensure they meet project requirements, enabling immediate reflights if necessary. Each image is viewed and graded by a post- flight inspector before insertion into the subsequent photogrammetric workflows. 9 | P a g e LiDAR Data Classification | Once the relative calibration and accuracy assessment is completed, the LiDAR points are classified to the minimum USGS point cloud classification scheme: This is accomplished by using a series of classification algorithms in TerraScan. The algorithm parameters will be fine-tuned to yield the best results for the terrain encountered in the project area. This data will then be put through a rigorous QA/QC of bare-earth classification, conducted manually to ensure accuracy. Both raw and classified point cloud data, with embedded flight line information, will be delivered in fully-compliant LAS v1.4 format in the City’s pre-defined tile structures. Hydro-Flattening, Hydro-Enforcement, Contours, and Breakline Compilation. Breaklines and hydro-enforcement of water and drainage features are completed in this stage. Breaklines will be collected for water bodies larger than ¼-acre, drainages <2 meters wide (single line), drainages >2 meters wide (double line), and permanent islands one (1) acre or larger within a water body. Elevations will be removed from the tops of selected drainage structures (bridges and culverts) to depict the terrain under those structures. Contours will be 1’. Breaklines will be delivered as a feature class in File GDB format. DTM Creation. Filtered LiDAR model key points (MKPs) for 1ft contours shall be delivered as a regular DTM feature class in File GDB format. DEM Creation. Hydro-Flattened, Bare-Earth DEMs will be created from the ground surface TIN model at a 0.5-meter cell size in ESRI GRID format and delivered in the City’s predefined tile structures. There will be no DEM voids within the project area. DEM tile extents that fall outside of the project area will be coded “NODATA”. 10 | P a g e Digital Image Processing | Phase One digital imagery is processed to ensure uniform color balancing. Bit-depth resolution is also chosen at this stage (8-bit for this project). Sometimes sunspots and other atmospheric factors beyond our control affect the quality of the raw imagery. We have developed contrast enhancements and haze filters that can be used as necessary to minimize these issues. Image radiometry is a subjective process and the “ideal” can change from year to year even. Therefore Aero- Graphics is committed to adjusting the imagery multiple times to meet our clients’ needs. Image Radiometry | We perform statistical analysis of initial radiometry on selected images throughout the project area to make sure all terrain types meet project requirements. Radiometry is adjusted for certain terrain types if necessary. Preproduction samples will be furnished to the City for approval prior to full-scale production, and correct color balancing of the full image set will be reviewed by our aerotriangulation specialists prior to orthorectification. Every effort will be made to provide maximum detail in shadow areas. The imagery is checked against the clipping, contrast, brightness, and color balance parameters as directed by the City. GPS/IMU Data Post-Processing | After successful acquisition, and in parallel with image processing, raw GPS/IMU data is processed using Applanix POSPac MMS 8.0. At this stage, our Processing Manager performs QC of flight parameters (initialization, bank angles, proximity to bases, etc.). The process combines the raw trajectory of the aircraft with concurrently running base stations to refine the photo center (air point) coordinates (XYZ) and angles (Omega, Phi, Kappa, or roll, pitch, and yaw) of the sensor, and delivers up to 3cm accuracy. Because the integrity and accuracy of our imagery on this project relies heavily on control from ABGPS/IMU, it is extremely important that our Processing Manager, a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor and Certified Photogrammetrist, conducts rigorous QC procedures and generates several reports and charts to verify the quality and accuracy of the data. These include PDOP, number of satellites, positional RMS, roll- pitch-yaw, and several other quality indicators. Omega-Phi-Kappa angles and altitude are checked at this point for conformity with project requirements. Aero-Graphics has been performing precision ABGPS/IMU processing since 1997. Both our Processing Manager and our AT/Ortho Manager have been formally trained in GPS/IMU processing through in-person Applanix University education from Applanix staff. This combination of experience and training lends strength to the efficiency and accuracy of our results. For example, we can discern which processing mode to use and in what situations it would yield more accurate results to process portions of a block individually rather than all together. GPS/IMU processing is the backbone of the accuracy for the City of Bozeman project. 11 | P a g e Analytical Aerotriangulation | Industry-leading Trimble-Inpho Match-AT software (Version 6.0) is utilized to perform fully analytical digital aerotriangulation for the block. Automatic tie points and refined GPS/IMU exposure centers (air points) extend full control for each stereo model. In this process we assign each air point to the principal point of its corresponding image, which gives an initial exterior orientation to each of the images. The image block is then stitched together by generating automatic tie points. These points tie each image to its neighbors in the same flightline and to those in adjacent flightlines. Ground control points are identified and measured, and these along with tie points, images, and air points are then processed together in a final bundle adjustment to refine the air points and provide the best orientation solution that minimizes cumulative error throughout the block. Once the AT solution is complete, we use Inpho’s DTMaster to check every model in stereo. We ensure that all parallax is cleared and that all tie points are on the ground – with no points floating or digging. Every control point must be on the center of the target and fall vertically within one-quarter of the applicable contour interval, based on flight height, of its surveyed position. The AT/Ortho Manager, a Certified Photogrammetrist and GIS Professional (GISP), verifies the integrity of each AT solution before it moves forward in the process. Our QC procedures are in place to find erroneous points and correct them before the AT results are used in subsequent processes. Orthorectification | Aero-Graphics will utilize DEM data from the 2023 project and collected LiDAR data as the initial rectification surface. The surface is then inspected and edited to ensure that the resulting orthorectified imagery will be accurate and meet client specifications. The most common surface improvements include removing points from buildings, generally correcting surfaces, such as cliffs, that would warp the ortho, and adding breaklines where necessary, especially on bridges and overpasses. Our QC procedures are in place to find erroneous points and correct them before the AT results are used in subsequent processes. 12 | P a g e Upon completion of the surface modeling, each digital image undergoes automatic orthorectification in a one-step batch process using Trimble-Inpho’s OrthoMaster software. This process moves each pixel into its true geographic location, correcting for terrain relief displacement and offsets caused by aircraft tip and tilt. Final orthorectification and tile-to-tile color balancing is performed in Inpho’s OrthoMaster and OrthoVista which have proven to provide superior radiometric and seamline results. Seamlines are placed in areas of consistent tonal balance and between buildings and bridges. Aero-Graphics takes advantage of Inpho’s parallel processing features that allows multiple core processing of ortho tiles; this greatly expedites production. Orthorectified imagery is manipulated in Inpho’s OrthoVista software to compute subtle radiometric adjustments that compensate for visual effects within individual images. Multiple orthophotos are then combined into one seamless and geometrically perfect ortho mosaic for the entire project area. The ortho mosaic is then tiled according to the provided tiling scheme resulting in pixel perfect tiles that match perfectly with no overlap. OrthoVista then performs a tile-wide and project-wide color balance by adjusting adjacent images to match in color and brightness, thereby allowing for maximum possible detail in the imagery including shadow areas. Imagery will be broken up into the City’s predefined tiling schemes. Ortho tiles will be delivered in both UTM Zone 12 NAD83 (2011) meters, NAVD88 meters and Montana State Plane NAD83 (2011) meters. Separate RGB and CIR image files will be delivered at a 7.5cm pixel resolution in uncompressed 24-bit TIFF and MrSID formats with associated world files. An overall MrSID mosaic will also be delivered at a 15cm (or desired) pixel size. Planimetric Data Collection | Skilled stereocompilers will perform GIS data layer updates within areas of change outlined by the City. Kevin Reid, an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist, will oversee the process to insure quality procedures are adhered to. New or modified features will be collected and attributed according to specifications listed in the referenced RFP. Collected features will include building footprints and public sidewalks (city limits only). Building footprints will be attributed with maximum height above ground. All data will be delivered in a File Geodatabase Feature Class, suitable for use in ArcGIS software. Quality Control | Aero-Graphics prides itself on rigorous quality control procedures. Orthoimagery and surface data is produced outside the designated digital boundary and then cut back to the boundary to assure thorough coverage of each project area. The orthoimagery is then inspected by a QC Inspector completely removed from the project, where linear and above-ground features are reviewed to detect misalignment and warping, and where final radiometry conformance is verified. In addition, the AT/Ortho Inpho’s distributed processing features allow multiple idle workstations to process ortho tiles simultaneously, greatly expediting turnaround time. 13 | P a g e Manager, a Certified Photogrammetrist and GIS Professional (GISP), oversees the compilation process to ensure that the surface collection and orthorectification meet client specifications. The Project Manager and AT/Ortho Manager spot-check all deliverables for correct color balance, accuracy, and data integrity prior to delivery. Metadata | FGDC-compliant metadata files will be provided for all deliverables in XML format. Metadata for orthorectified imagery will include acquisition dates. Accuracy | All 3” orthoimagery deliverables will meet or exceed ASPRS Class I Accuracy Standards. LiDAR collection and deliverables will follow USGS and FEMA standards. Pre-Delivery Inspection | Our pre-delivery inspectors perform final quality control before materials are submitted to the City of Bozeman. This includes verifying correct naming convention, file formatting, correct labeling of delivery media, and packing list accuracy. 14 | P a g e d. Scope of Project We understand the scope of the City of Bozeman project entails control and quality check shot surveying, digital aerial imagery and LiDAR acquisition, data processing and orthoimagery production services, building footprints, sidewalk collection, quality control, metadata, and reporting for approximately 78.7 square miles covering the greater Bozeman area. The desired flight dates are between April 1st and April 30th, 2024. The desired project completion date is 90 days from photo acquisition. Deliverables/specifications include the following: Item Description Format Projection, Datum, Units UTM Zone 12, NAD83 (2011), Meters MT State Plane, NAD83 (2011), Meters NAVD88, Meters Accuracy Standards FEMA Guidelines and Specs for FHMP and USGS NGP LBS 2023 Rev. A as specified in this proposal Flight Plan and Logs Flight lines, exposures, photo centers Feature Class Calibration Reports Digital camera (Phase One) PDF Survey Control Report AGPS data, XYZ OPK, ground control XLS Aerial Triangulation Report Adjustment process, coordinate list PDF or XLS Digital Orthoimagery 4-band, 3” pixels, mosaic TIF, SID LiDAR Data DTM Bare-Earth DEM (0.5m cell size) Hillshades Breaklines (Hydrography) 1’ contrours Point Clouds (Raw & Classified) Feature Class ESRI GRID GeoTIFF Feature Class Feature Class LAS 1.4 Planimetric Features Building footprints and sidewalks Feature Class Progress Reports Weekly status emails PDF Metadata For each deliverable listed above XML Project Report Summary of processes, collection, etc. PDF 15 | P a g e e. Related Experience with Projects Similar to the Scope of Services The following aerial acquisition and processing projects have been successfully completed by Aero- Graphics’ production staff within the last five years: In 2018, Aero-Graphics completed aerial LiDAR and imagery acquisition & processing throughout the District 6 and Keams Canyon areas, covering a total of 496 square miles on the Hopi Reservation. The aerial imagery was used directly for large scale photogrammetric production, including image radiometry/color balancing; analytical softcopy aerotriangulation; planimetric feature compilation and extraction; and RGB digital orthophoto generation at 1’ GSD. LiDAR data was calibrated to LAS 1.2 and integrated with ground control to minimize horizontal and vertical error throughout. Services and Project Deliverables included: • Target placement and GPS surveying for 27 control points. • Digital 4-band aerial photography acquisition at 1’ GSD. • RGB and CIR orthorectified imagery in TIFF and MrSID formats at 1’’ pixel size. • QL2 LiDAR acquisition and classification • Digital Elevation Model Client: The Hopi Nation Contact: Timothy Bodell Phone: 928.566.2777 Project Name: District 6 and Kearns Canyon Aerial Photography, LiDAR, and Mapping Completion: 2018 Total Area: 496 mi2 16 | P a g e In 2022, AGI was contracted by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide LiDAR and Orthoimagery for several Marine Corps bases in Oklahoma and California. Co-collects were performed with our Galaxy and Phase One LiDAR/Imagery system. Surveying of aerial targets and vertical checkpoints was performed. Services and Project Deliverables included: • Survey of control and checkpoints • Digital 4-band aerial photography acquisition at a 7.62cm GSD. • Digital orthorectified imagery at a 3” pixel size delivered in GeoTIFF format. • LiDAR acquisition at 9 points per square meter. • Classified point cloud and DEM at 0.5 m resolution. • Project Metadata including a comprehensive Technical Project Report detailing acquisition, processing, and accuracy assessment processes. The USGS contracted Aero-Graphics to collect over 22,000 square miles of QL1 LiDAR in Uinta Tribal lands, Ashley National Forest, Wayne San Juan, and Utah’s West Desert. We have completed acquisition and are currently working to complete processing in-house and through subcontractors to LiDAR Base Specs 2022 rev A. Services and Project Deliverables included: • Survey of control and checkpoints (579 NVA and 266 VVA) • LiDAR acquisition at 9 points per square meter • Classified point cloud and DEM at 0.5 m resolution and 1 m resolution • FGDC compliant metadata for each delivery file. • Reports and accuracy assessments. Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contact: Ted Stanton Project Name: U.S. Marine Corps Bases 2022 Completion: 2023 Total Area: 380 mi2 Client: U.S. Geological Survey Contact: Walter Kloth Project Name: Utah 3DEP Completion: 2023-ongoing Total Area: 22,174 mi2 17 | P a g e In 2023, Aero-Graphics was awarded another contract by the USGS based on our performance on the Utah 3DEP project. QL1 LiDAR was collected in Nevada, Utah, and Idaho to LBS 2022 Rev A. Services and Project Deliverables included: • Target placement and GPS surveying for control and check points (180 NVA and 88 VVA). • QL1 LiDAR acquisition at 9.3 points per square meter • Classification to LBS 2022 Rev A • DEM at 0.5 m cell size • FGDC-compliant metadata for each file Client: U.S. Geological Survey/U.S. Forest Service Contact: Walter Kloth Project Name: USFS R4 LiDAR Completion: 2023 - ongoing Total Area: 4,200 mi2 18 | P a g e Additional Recent Orthoimagery and LiDAR Projects Name Year(s) Location Size Deliverables Missoula-Area Orthophotography 2020 & 2023 Missoula, MT 77.3 mi2 3” Orthoimagery 2019 & 2023 GIS DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT 2019 & 2023 Sheridan, WY 77 mi2 3” Orthoimagery ID/WA 2020 Aerial Photography Project 2020 Nez Perce County, ID 87.4 mi2 3” Orthoimagery Husky Howl 2023 Teton, WY 10.8 mi2 Classified LiDAR at 23 points per square meter, DTM, 3” Orthoimagery, 1’ contours, planimetric data North Side Canal LiDAR 2023 Jerome, ID 503 mi2 Classified LiDAR at 3 points per square meter, DEM Orthoimagery Updates 2011- present San Bernardino, CA 4,735 mi2 3” and 6” Orthoimagery State of Utah AGRC 2019 Various locations, UT 13,109 mi2 QL1 and QL2 classified LiDAR, DEM, DSM Sublette County Orthoimagery 2009- 2022 Sublette County, WY 4,927 mi2 6” Orthoimagery 19 | P a g e f. Statement of Qualifications Aero-Graphics is a full-service aerial mapping company with one (1) Project Management Professional, two (2) in-house Professional Land Surveyors, seven (7) in-house Certified Photogrammetrists and two (2) GISCI Certified GIS Professionals (GISP). We also employ fifteen (15) flight staff, including logistics managers, mission planning managers, pilots, and sensor operators. We have over 55 years of aerial mapping experience, 25 years of digital orthophoto compilation experience, and over 15 years of LiDAR experience, including a working relationship with the City of Bozeman in 2018, 2021, and 2023. Additionally, Aero-Graphics has collected and processed nearly 30,000 square miles of QL1 and QL2 LiDAR for the USGS in the past 3 years. Aero-Graphics’ project management team offers 100 years of combined experience and takes a methodical, deliberate approach to managing complex projects that includes risk mitigation, quality assurance and control, and dynamic scheduling. Aero-Graphics is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and fully recertified on March 7, 2022. We are pleased to strengthen our contribution of quality geospatial services through this certification, which, among important audits, includes process accountability, continuous documented improvement on those processes, and procedural document control. This lends increased confidence in reliable results. The full certificate is available for viewing upon request. Aero-Graphics’ proven project management strategy produces accurate, timely deliverables in a cost-effective manner. This strategy includes the following key elements: • Clearly defined objectives • Appropriate risk management • Intelligent mission planning • Adherence to project milestones • Effective QA/QC • Constant communication These time-tested standard operating procedures (SOP) have created a long tradition of exceeding clients’ expectations and we are confident they will ensure the long-term success of City of Bozeman projects. g. References Organization Name Position Email Phone Number City of Missoula, MT Eric Andersen GIS Analyst AndersenE@ci.missoula.mt.us 406.552.6101 City of Sheridan, WY Brian Craig Community Dev. Director bcraig@sheridanwy.net 307.675.4248 Nez Perce County, ID Bill Reynolds GIS Coordinator billreynolds@co.nezperce.id.us 208.750.2055 20 | P a g e h. Present and Projected Workloads The Aero-Graphics Team possesses the capacity, expertise, and resources to easily meet the City’s desired project completion date of 90 days from acquisition. Our approach involves resource allocation such that parallel processing, rather than sequential processing, is the norm. We regularly manage multiple concurrent projects, with and without subcontractors, with varying degrees of complexity. Workloads and budgets are closely monitored daily to ensure that schedules never slip. All staff members are cross trained to perform multiple production tasks; this allows us the flexibility to ramp up capacity in certain departments when needed. Our present workload for our Orthoimagery Department (pictured below) includes a total of 28 projects currently in progress, most of which are projected to complete by April 2024. Between the months of April and July, we currently have 3 ortho projects scheduled. Our LiDAR Department workload includes 29 current projects, with all but 4 being completed by April 2024. Aero-Graphics will surely have sufficient capacity, staff, and resources to meet the scheduling demands of this contract. Figure 1: Aero-Graphics’ current ortho and LiDAR project listing as of Nov. 2023 21 | P a g e Figure 2: Proposed schedule for the City of Bozeman project Contract Item Completion By Control Survey March 31, 2024 Aerial Imagery and LiDAR Acquisition April 30, 2024 Orthoimagery and LiDAR Production June 30, 2024 Building Footprints and Sidewalks June 30, 2024 Final Project Report & Metadata June 30, 2024 22 | P a g e i. Key Personnel Aero-Graphics prides itself on employing the most intelligent and skilled professionals in the geospatial industry. The team members listed below will supervise acquisition and production tasks and ensure that quality standards are met for the City of Bozeman project. A Team Member Summary Table is included below followed by personalized resumes of each key personnel. Team Member Summary Table Name Project Role Years of Experience (w/Firm) Education (Year Completed) Certifications/ Licenses (Year Received) Kelly Francis Executive Oversight 26 (26) B.S. (1995) CP (2008) PMP (2014) Mason Decker Cost Estimation & Project Oversight 9 (8) B.S. (2014) GIS Cert (2012) CP (forthcoming) Bailey Costello Project Management & Scheduling 4(2) B.S. (2019) M.S. (2022) Bernie Doud QA/QC Implementation, GIS Database Creation 19 (13) B.S. (2004) MBA (2008) CP (2010) GISP (2013) Erik Ulmer (RPA) Ground Control Surveying 21(21) B.S. (2003) MT PLS #18018 Cody Buhrmeister Flight Planning, Flight Crew Oversight 28 (2) B.S. (1995) M.B.A (2018) Jim Hoddenbach Aircraft Operation, Pilot Oversight 35 (5) Karl Jensen ABGPS/IMU Data Processing 21 (21) B.A. (1998) A.S. (2009) CP (2008) UT PLS (2013) Kevin Reid Photogrammetry Lead 22 (14) CP (2013) Joe Belliston Orthoimagery Processing 13 (13) B.S. (2007) PT (2013) Bill Neilsen LIDAR Department Manager 35 (15) CP (2013) 23 | P a g e Kelly Francis, CP, PMP | President Role. Kelly Francis will apply his 26 years (all with AG) of expertise and executive oversight to this project. Education and Certifications. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Utah State University. He is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist (#R1372) and a Project Management Professional (#1742748). Kelly currently serves on the Board of Directors for MAPPS, national association of firms in the surveying, spatial data and geographic information systems field. Experience. Mr. Francis is an owner of Aero-Graphics and serves as its President and Senior Project Manager. He has dedicated his career to geospatial process efficiency and business strategy. As such, he is intimately familiar with planning, design, and execution of LiDAR and digital aerial photography projects to support topo mapping production. Bailey Costello | Project Manager Role. Bailey Costello will apply his 4 years of expertise and oversight to this project, including project management, imagery acquisition/processing design, supervision, and progress status reporting. Education and Certifications. Bailey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science degree in Geography from the University of Utah. Experience. Mr. Costello has worked with such entities as US Department of Agriculture, City of Missoula, City of Sheridan, City of Bozeman and Dominion Engineering to design and complete digital photography acquisition, color orthorectified imagery projects, LiDAR acquisition and processing projects, volume calculations, and contour and DTM mapping. Mason Decker | Project Manager Role. Mason Decker will apply his 9 years of expertise and oversight to this project, including project management, imagery acquisition/processing design, supervision, and progress status reporting. Education and Certifications. Mason holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Utah and a GIS Certificate from Salt Lake Community College. Experience. Mr. Decker has worked with such entities as San Bernardino County, Orange County, City of Bakersfield, Kern County COG, City of Lubbock, TX, Nez Perce County, ID, and City of Logan, UT to design and complete digital photography acquisition, color orthorectified imagery projects, LiDAR acquisition and processing projects, recurring survey and photogrammetry updates, volume calculations, and contour and DTM mapping. 24 | P a g e Bernie Doud, CP, GISP | Quality Manager Role. Bernie Doud will apply his 19 years of expertise and oversight to this project, including implementation of quality programs, audits, and procedures, project management, and employee mentoring. Education and Certifications. Bernie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geographic Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration degree. He is a Certified Photogrammetrist with ASPRS (#1449) and a GISCI Certified GISP (#52260). Experience. Mr. Doud is a senior level technical and quality manager. He has a solid technical background in GIS and all aspects of LiDAR and photogrammetry, which along with his project management expertise has strengthened his ability to design, implement, and monitor QA/QC programs customized to each project, train and direct employees in project execution, and act as technical client liaison. Erik Ulmer, PLS | Survey Manager (RPA) Role. Erik Ulmer is RPA’s Survey Group Manager and Primary Contact in Bozeman. He has over 20 years of experience in OPUS Projects; GPS RTK and static networks. He has successfully managed the execution of numerous surveying projects throughout the United States. Education and Licenses. Erik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Surveying and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is a registered Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Montana (#18018). Experience. In his role as Survey Manager, Erik ensures impeccable accuracy in ground survey control. This is critical to ensuring high-quality LiDAR and mapping services. Erik assisted in setting control for the 2021 Bozeman Ortho Project and is the survey manager on the 2023 Bozeman Ortho Project. Cody Buhrmeister | Flight Ops Manager Role. Mr. Buhrmeister will dedicate his 27 years of geospatial experience, including project management, flight planning and overall department management, and customer relation skills to this project. Education and Certifications. Cody holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and has an MBA with a focus on Project Management. Experience. As Flight Manager at Aero-Graphics, Cody manages administrative functions within the flight department and assists Project Managers and the Flight Coordinator with flight-related questions and planning. He has direct operation experience with various aerial sensors, including the LeadAir MIDAS digital camera, DMC I, DMC II, DMC III digital cameras, the UltraCam Eagle digital camera, the UltraCam Falcon digital camera, and the Leica RC-30 film camera, Leica Terrain Mapper H1 and H2, Leica ALS70 Lidar Sensor, several Riegl lidar sensors. 25 | P a g e Jim Hoddenbach | Chief Pilot Role. Mr. Hoddenbach will serve as the Cessna 310 pilot-in-command during the data acquisition phase. Education and Certifications. Jim is an A&P IA Mechanic with over 34 years of experience and has provided decades of dependable, professional, and quality work through Aero Services to his fellow aviators at the Skypark Airport in Woods Cross, UT. Jim is a Certified Flight Instructor, Multi Engine Instructor, fixed wing and rotorcraft pilot. Experience. As Chief Pilot, Mr. Hoddenbach is pilot-in-command for flight execution of mapping projects in the company’s Cessna T310R, Cessna T206, and Piper PA-23 Aztec aircraft. He has experience operating RC-30 film and UltraCam Eagle large format cameras along with the accompanying computer flight management systems and inertial measurement units. He is trained in the use of the POSTrack software that is utilized in conjunction with these cameras and systems. Karl Jensen, CP, PLS | Airborne Processing Lead Role. Karl Jensen will apply his 21 years of expertise, production capacity, and oversight to this project, including, ground control planning, ABGPS/IMU processing and analytical aerotriangulation. Education and Licenses. Karl holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surveying from Salt Lake Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Utah. He is a registered Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Utah (#7643406) and a Certified Photogrammetrist with ASPRS (#1374). Experience. Mr. Jensen is a senior level technical and production manager with a concrete CADD, survey, and photogrammetry background. He has successfully coordinated production tasks for numerous orthoimagery, LiDAR, surveying, and photogrammetric mapping projects. 26 | P a g e Kevin Reid, CP | Photogrammetry Lead Role. Kevin Reid will apply his 22 years of expertise, production capacity, training, and oversight to this project by performing project preparation functions, hydro break line compilation oversight and management, quality control, and progress reporting. Education and Certifications. Kevin studied Computer Science in college and is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist (#1557). Experience. Over the course of nine years, Mr. Reid has overseen photogrammetric mapping projects of varying complexity, from 40-scale transportation projects to 200- scale mining projects. He is well-versed in the effective utilization of VR and Inpho photogrammetric software suites. Joe Belliston, CPT | Lead Orthocompiler Role. In his role as Lead Orthocompiler, Mr. Belliston is responsible for orthophoto quality control, specification compliance and meeting demanding schedule commitments. Education. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in Geography and recently received his ASPRS Certified Photogrammetric Technologist certification. Experience. Mr. Belliston has over thirteen (13) years of ortho production, GIS, editing, and AT experience. He has successfully coordinated production tasks for numerous large image orthorectification projects and has extensive training in Inpho and ESRI mapping software suites. Mr. Belliston has effectively managed numerous projects of various sizes involving digitally orthorectified imagery yielding high levels of client satisfaction. Bill Nielsen, CP | LiDAR Department Manager Role. Bill Nielsen will apply his 35 years of expertise, production capacity, training, and oversight to this project by performing LiDAR data calibration, LiDAR data classification oversight, automation development, DEM creation, staff training, and LiDAR QC oversight. Certifications. Mr. Nielsen is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist (#1565). Experience. Mr. Nielsen’s current responsibilities include managing LiDAR department staff, overseeing data calibration, classification, and processing, development of process automation, and accuracy assessments. He has extensive training in TerraSolid, Optech LMS, LP360, and ESRI mapping software suites. Additionally, he ensures quality control, specification compliance, and fulfillment of demanding schedule commitments. 27 | P a g e j. Additional Information Quality Delivery System (QDS) | QA/QC is built into each one of our processes, from planning and design to production. Our QDS, customized for the City of Bozeman project, organizes, and lists specific, measurable QA/QC steps for each process and assigns personal responsibility to ensure each is performed with exactness. Quality Assurance is separated from Quality Control to make our system comprehensive. QA denotes a preventive step or design that is performed before the associated process to avoid mistakes. QC is a task that takes place after the associated process and aims to find and rectify mistakes that do slip through. 28 | P a g e k. Affirmation of Nondiscrimination & Equal Pay NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION Aero-Graphics, Inc. hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, Aero-Graphics, Inc. hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3- 104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. Bailey Costello, Project Manager Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter 29 | P a g e l. Pricing Survey Control and Vertical Accuracy Checkpoints .................................................. $12,000. Digital Imagery and LiDAR Acquisition ..................................................................... $47,310. Building Footprints and Sidewalks.............................................................................. $7,000. Digital Orthoimagery (7.5cm pixels with 15cm Mosaic) ............................................... $22,750. LiDAR (Hydrography, DTM, DEM, Point Clouds, Breaklines, Hillshade, Contours) ............. $31,405. Project Report and Metadata ..................................................................................... $3,190. Total Project ............. $123,655. Pricing is valid for 90 days. Terms are Net 30 days with monthly invoices submitted for completed work.