The SDI Group will select the most appropriate data available for each Proposed SDI. Schedule and budget constraints limit the selection to "off-the-shelf" data sets already routinely published by the Federal government. The SDI Group does not intend to collect any new data. Selection criteria will assure that the SDI Group will choose the best data available that most closely represents the Proposed SDI. The primary products for Step 6 are data sets (one for each Proposed SDI) and a supporting document explaining why these data sets most accurately represent the Proposed SDI.
Getting the data will start once the SDI Group selects the Proposed SDI and will end just before completing the final report. The SDI Group will assign members to locate the appropriate data center or system within their agency that manages data relevant to one or more Proposed SDI. The SDI Group will base these assignments on the particular functions or disciplines of the sponsoring Federal agency. The SDI Group will work directly with the data center or system to pick the best data set for that Proposed SDI. After review by the entire SDI Group, the member will order the data set directly from the data center or system. The SDI Group will then appropriately format the data for presentation in the final report.