Water Resources Discipline ITAC Activities

FYI -- Candice Bostwick is our candidate

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Katherine Lins
Chief, Office of Water Information, WRD
U.S. Geological Survey
440 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
703-648-5014

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----- Forwarded by Katherine Lins/WRD/USGS/DOI on 09/30/2004 02:11 PM -----

All,

As you may know, the Department of Interior (DOI) Enterprise Architecture (EA) Domain Teams have developed the EA Technical Reference Model (TRM) which defines specific technologies as "Preferred" and "Contained". In part, the purpose of the TRM is to create efficiencies and economies through the standardization of technologies. In accordance with the TRM, "Contained" means: Develop solutions using these standards or products only if there are no suitable alternatives categorized as preferred; if a preferred product is available that will meet the requrirements, plans should be developed to migrate from contained to preferred as soon as is practical.

In the current release of the TRM, some of the technologies that have been identified as "Contained" are technologies currently used to support USGS Science missions. In some cases, the use of these technologies are not expected to diminish over time, as there are no suitable "Preferred" alternatives and they are critical to our Science Programs.

The Information Technology Office (ITO) maintains that standardization does increase efficiency and reduce costs, and, in accordance with the TRM, requires that "Preferred" technologies are considered when procuring technology for any requirement. However, the ITO also recognizes that the requirements of Science projects must drive the selection and use of technologies. Therefore, the ITO has keenly defended the ability of the USGS to procure any technology, as necessary to support our Science objectives, while standardizing on technologies where possible, such as office automation systems, business systems and suitable science projects.

To ensure that USGS requirements are considered in the process of standardization, the ITO is sponsoring an initiative to document our requirements.

I am very pleased to announce that Dru Burks has volunteered to lead a cross-bureau team in the documentation of USGS science requirements which drive the selection of "Contained" technologies. Over the next few weeks, Dru will be assigning a documentation lead and requesting support from IT staff from across the USGS in this important effort.

I am asking that each of you consider your programs and offices and identify appropriate personnel to serve on this team. I am requesting that you provide the names of potential team members to Dru by October 1, 2004.

I am confident that this documentation will aid the ITO in our efforts to maintain the use of technologies that enable and improve our Science mission.

I thank you in advance for your support to this effort.

Sincerly,

Kevin

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Kevin T. Gallagher
Acting Chief Information Officer
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Voice: 703-648-6828
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