The Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor’s Office is soliciting proposals from qualified Offerors to perform a GIS-based update of the existing Land Suitability Analysis (LSA, also known as the Land Characteristics Index) using current data. This will create a current analysis of the suitability of land in the borough for development to aid in making a wide variety of land use decisions. The GIS based data and past reports will be made available by the FNSB to the contractor.

Task 1 – Data Review
Assess the existing LSA and contributing geospatial datasets to determine which components can be replaced with newer, more accurate or more refined data. Of particular need is the incorporation of LiDAR data, which was not available during the previous analysis, and updated floodplain data. Work with project team to determine where, how and whether additional datasets can be obtained.

Deliverable(s):
1. Assessment technical memorandum of recommended technical changes to the current LSA.

Task 2 – Collect and Analyze Data
Analysis will include consolidation of data on landscape types, which will end up as a subset of land suitability attribute layers in the FNSB geodatabase. Based upon the quality of the existing geospatial datasets, work with FNSB staff to determine the most appropriate mapping unit sizes for the rural and urban areas of the Borough.

Deliverable(s):
1. Draft GIS feature class and attributes that comprise a Land Use Suitability map.
2. Draft GIS-based analysis of data.

Task 3 – Confirm Analysis
Ground truth to confirm the success of the analysis. Hours will vary depending on the number of sites visited.

Deliverable(s):
1. Technical memorandum on field tests findings and recommendations for amendments, if needed.

Task 4 – FNSB Staff Training
Provide training to appropriate FNSB staff in the use and application of this analysis as well as the procedures followed to conduct the analysis. Procedures should be conveyed in writing and should be sufficient to answer specific functionality questions for primary GIS users.

Deliverable(s):
1. Final GIS feature class and attributes that comprise a Land Use Suitability map.
2. Final GIS-based analysis of data.
3. Training materials for FNSB staff, including written procedures.