Wayland, MA, USA, August 31, 2001 – The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) announces that a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the Object Domain Modeling Support (ODMS) Initiative is available at http://ip.opengeospatial.org/odms. The ODMS Initiative aims to develop domain models for utilities as a vehicle to achieve semantic interoperability within and across information communities. The model would allow users within the utilities arena and those in related disciplines such as engineering, public safety and others, to more easily share geographic data, even if they chose to name features differently.The OGC is issuing this RFQ in collaboration with the CADD/GIS Center for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment (CADD/GIS Center). As the Initiative Sponsor, the CADD/GIS Center is particularly interested in working with participants with significant experience and familiarity with the utilities sector including gas, electric, and water. Participants should also have some knowledge of Unified Modeling Language (UML), a general-purpose notational language for specifying and visualizing software and structures.According to Dr. Warren Bennett, CADD/GIS Center, “The OGC ODMS Initiative will help enable geospatial content sharing within and across information communities. This effort represents an opportunity for collaborative development of domain models for Utilities as a vehicle to achieve semantic interoperability.”Responses to the RFQ are due September 27, 2001 and the initiative is expected to begin in late October. Inquiries related to the ODMS Initiative should be addressed to Mr. Jeff Harrison, Director of OGC Interoperability Programs, jharrison@opengeospatial.org , or (703) 491-9543.OGC is an international industry consortium of over 220 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geoprocessing specifications. OGC Specifications support interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web and mainstream IT, and empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at www.opengeospatial.org .– end –“