#United States #Dayton #Woolpert #NOAA #Coastal Mapping

Woolpert Secures Major Contract with NOAA

Woolpert, a leading architecture, engineering, and geospatial firm, has recently been awarded a substantial contract worth $250 million by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This contract emphasizes the company's role in enhancing the accuracy of shoreline mapping across approximately 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline. Under this initiative, Woolpert will employ various geospatial services aimed at supporting nautical charts, maritime navigation, coastal resource management, and the definition of territorial boundaries.

The contract is part of NOAA's broader Coastal Mapping Program, which seeks to create a comprehensive digital database containing accurate and consistent shoreline data. This data is pivotal for several applications including safe navigational practices, disaster response, and environmental protection. As per Woolpert’s Government Solutions Market Director, Jeff Lovin, “The work being done under this contract is critical to ensuring the accuracy of U.S. shoreline data, which supports everything from safe navigation to disaster response.”

Scope of Work

Woolpert's responsibilities under this contract will encompass a variety of essential geospatial services. These services include:

• - Topographic and Bathymetric Lidar Acquisition: This involves the use of laser technology to accurately measure the elevation of land and underwater features, which is vital for coastal mapping.
• - Aerial Imagery Collection: Capturing high-resolution images from the air to document current shoreline conditions.
• - Ground Control Surveys: These surveys ensure that the data collected is accurate and can be effectively used in mapping applications.
• - Tide and Water Level Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring of water levels is crucial for understanding shoreline dynamics and making informed management decisions.
• - Geographic Cell Shoreline Cleanup: This process involves refining the shoreline data to ensure clarity and accuracy in the mapping database.
• - Data Editing, Attribution, and Compilation: Ensuring all collected data is accurately labeled and compiled into the final database.

Importance of the Initiative

The significance of Woolpert's engagement with NOAA cannot be understated. The accuracy of shoreline data has profound implications for various stakeholders, including policymakers, environmentalists, and coastal communities. By producing reliable data for nautical charting and maritime navigation, Woolpert will play a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of those who rely on coastal regions for their livelihoods and recreational activities.

Furthermore, the data generated through this contract will contribute to disaster response efforts. Accurate shoreline mapping is essential for defining boundaries and aiding emergency services during natural disasters, ensuring that effective response strategies can be implemented quickly and efficiently.

About Woolpert

Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has established itself as one of the top firms in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. With nearly 3,000 employees across more than 75 offices globally, the company has been recognized as a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company and a Top 50 ENR Global Design firm. Woolpert is dedicated to innovation and resilience in the face of climatic and environmental challenges, providing vital services that support public and private sector clients alike.

Woolpert's ongoing collaboration with NOAA underscores the strength of its commitment to enhancing national resilience and ensuring the sustainability of coastal communities. As they embark on this major project, Woolpert continues to demonstrate its leadership in the field of geospatial solutions, reaffirming its status as a premier firm in the industry.