Imagery and Elevation Data Coordination Program
The Remote Sensing Services and Equipment Scheme supports NSW Government agencies to source imagery and elevation data.
Finding imagery and elevation data
The Environmental Spatial Programs team within Spatial Services can help you find the best way to acquire imagery and elevation data. We’re experts in airborne imagery and LiDAR and can offer guidance through either the:
- Spatial Services internal capture program
- Remote Sensing Services and Equipment (ReSSE) Prequalification Scheme.
Our key focus areas are:
- Elevation and Depth: sourcing, capture and creation of airborne LiDAR products.
- Imagery: sourcing, capture and creation of airborne imagery products.
- ReSSE Prequalification Scheme: a procurement pathway for NSW Government agencies to access private sector services for imagery, elevation data, and processing.
Spatial Services programs
Imagery
Spatial Services has a long history of capturing high quality airborne imagery across NSW, supporting government, industry and community needs. You can:
- learn more about how we collect and create aerial imagery products
- access our latest imagery products via web services on the Spatial Collaboration Portal
- see NSW’s extensive historical imagery catalogue through the Historical Imagery Viewer in the Spatial Collaboration portal
- Contact the Environmental Spatial Programs Team through the Customer Hub.
Elevation and depth
We deliver high quality elevation products across NSW and are experienced in LiDAR capture and processing. We can collaborate with you to develop custom solutions, defining areas of interest to selecting optimal point densities. You can:
- find out about how we collect and create elevation data products across NSW
- view elevation data in the national Elevation and Depth – Foundation Spatial Data portal (ELVIS).
It’s part of larger digital improvements for government processes and how geospatial data is shared. As expenditure on geospatial data grows, ReSSE aims to provide NSW Government agencies with access to the latest capabilities within the spatial industry while reducing duplicate spending and improving economies of scale.
The ReSSE team offers support, advice and technical expertise for NSW government agencies to access a wide range of spatial imagery and elevation data. We can act on your agency’s behalf or assist you with:
- developing data specifications
- managing the request for tender
- preparing contracts
- evaluating and selecting a prequalified supplier
- providing quality assurance.
For buying information, visit Buy NSW.
Prequalified suppliers
ReSSE gives private companies more opportunities to work with the NSW Government.
Currently the scheme provides access to more than 80 prequalified suppliers. There's no limit on the number of suppliers that can join the scheme.
Suppliers must meet ReSSE specific requirements. Suppliers can join more than 1 category if they can prove capabilities in other categories or sub‑categories. The scheme includes many categories, including:
- spatial data
- remote sensing tools
- surveying equipment
- consulting services.
Agencies can contact us for support.
How suppliers can join the scheme
You can apply to become a supplier by completing the ReSSE application at Buy NSW.
More information about becoming prequalified is available on the Supplier Hub on Buy NSW.
More information on ReSSE for buyers and suppliers
Agencies aren't required to use the ReSSE Scheme. However we highly encourage use of the scheme to ensure high standards of data quality is received.
We can provide a list of suppliers that will suit your needs if you contact us with some detail of what your procurement will involve. Contact the ReSSE Team.
There are currently no management fees.
Choosing a supplier on the ReSSE Scheme
Suppliers are prequalified based on capabilities and contract risk.
- For low-risk contracts or under $150,000: any prequalified vendor with appropriate capabilities can be selected.
- For high-risk contracts or over $150,000: a high-risk capable vendor should be selected. The ReSSE team can help you with selection and capability assessment, contact us.
A supplier that is high-risk capable will be on both the high-risk and low-risk capable vendor list. A low-risk capable vendor can only be on the low-risk capable vendor list.
Joining the ReSSE supplier list
If your preferred supplier isn't on the list, you can encourage the vendor to apply for the scheme. Only a prequalified vendor can be engaged using the scheme terms and conditions. Information about how to apply for the scheme can be found on the Supplier Hub.
To get on the scheme suppliers are assessed on a number of qualifications and capabilities and are required to provide supporting documentation in their application. All suppliers have agreed to a set of scheme rules on application. It’s not possible to propose variations to the ReSSE Standard Agreement. The full outline of requirements for suppliers can be found in the scheme rules (Terms and Conditions) on Buy.NSW or by contacting the ReSSE Team.
Request for Quotes under the ReSSE Scheme
Your Request for Quote (RFQs) can be managed:
- through the ReSSE Team
- internally using your own procurement processes
- through the eTendering system.
The ReSSE team can help with any part of the procurement process, except for finance documentation, which you must organise with your internal procurement team. ReSSE is able to:
- link buyers with subject matter experts
- define requirements and scope of services
- conduct and assess requests for quotes
- manage contracts and the project
- conduct quality checks on deliverables.
What you must do
As the buyer you must:
- consider the engagement risks
- make sure you have the right insurance before you start working with a supplier.
You must report all scheme use to us and include:
- the project contact
- a secondary contact
- capture type and area.
Once we record your project, you'll be provided a contract for the project as well as a buyers documentation pack.
You can apply for the ReSSE Scheme through the Buy NSW site.
Applications are open for the duration of the scheme, currently until March 2028. There's no limit to how many suppliers can be pre-qualified.
No management fees apply to the ReSSE Scheme.
Scheme benefits
The scheme provides NSW Government agencies an easier procurement process and better opportunities for suppliers to offer their goods and services to agencies. Agencies invite suppliers to quote for each engagement. The ReSSE Team doesn't influence engagements coming through the scheme.
Customers
NSW Government agencies can access the scheme by:
- using the online eTendering platform
- contacting suppliers directly
- engaging the ReSSE Team to manage their procurement.
ReSSE application assessment
All application requirements are outlined in the scheme rules. As part of the application process you must download and complete templates provided on the Supplier Hub.
Your application will be assessed based on how it meets the scheme rules. This is a desktop assessment managed by the ReSSE Administration team in the Department of Customer Service. We may need more information to check your application and contact your referees.
Most applications are assessed within 2-3 weeks, but it can be longer.
If you're unsuccessful, you can reapply by updating your existing unsuccessful application through eTendering.
High-risk and low-risk suppliers
The scheme has 2 categories based on contract risk:
- High-risk suppliers have a higher company profit and can show previous contracts completed. This category is for contracts over $150,000 or are considered high-risk.
- Low-risk suppliers have fewer requirements and can be used for any low-risk contract under $150,000.
You can apply for 1 category at a time. All high-risk suppliers are automatically included in the low-risk supplier list. A low-risk vendor must submit a new application to become a high-risk supplier.
You can reapply for the scheme through the Supplier Hub with new categories as your capabilities change. To add categories, resubmit your previously successful application with the new documentation.
To have a category removed contact us.
Referee reports
If you’re applying as a:
- low-risk supplier you must provide at least 1 referee report for at least 1 of your applied categories.
- high-risk supplier you must provide at least 3 referee reports.
A referee report can cover more than 1 category. All referee reports must be signed by the referee. We recommend at least 1 report is for work completed within NSW.
If you're using a referee from overseas you must provide at least 1 other referee from within NSW. Referee reports must provide evidence that you can provide goods or other services within NSW.
Sub-contractors
Your sub-contractors don't have to be approved suppliers on the ReSSE Scheme. As the primary contractor, you're responsible for the performance of your subcontractors and must outline any contractors that will be engaged in the contract for each engagement. Sub-contractors may also be required to supply insurance information, this will be outlined per engagement.
ReSSE requirements
The terms and conditions of an engagement in the ReSSE Standard Agreement cannot be varied. Any variation that is accepted is at the risk of the buyer and vendor and is not accounted for in the scheme rules.
Companies from outside Australia can apply, however you should have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN).
The ReSSE administration team may request a credit report that shows financial solvency, however this is normally done through ABN or ARBN checks.