2012 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Response Methods

Digital BAS

Digital BAS is designed to accept submissions from experienced geographic information system (GIS) users. Participants modify spatial data provided by the Census Bureau and must format their submission in the acceptable standardized format described in the Respondent Guide. Participants must have the ability to edit Census Bureau shapefiles in order to participate in Digital BAS. Participants may download shapefiles and the Respondent Guide from the BAS web site or can request that the Census Bureau ship digital materials via CD.

To receive digital materials on a CD, participants must notify the Census Bureau by February 1, 2011 to allow adequate time for material creation and shipment. Please contact the Census Bureau by phone at (800) 972-5651 or by e-mail at geo.bas@census.gov for more information or to request materials.

MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS)

MTPS is a PC-based software application for participants to digitally update Census Bureau maps and forms. Participants do not need to have GIS experience or software in order to respond using the MTPS. Participants receive a CD containing the software to install on their computer, one or more CD(s) containing the data for their entity and the surrounding area, and password to access the data in the software. Participants are able to submit the map and form updates using this software.

To participate in 2012 BAS using MTPS, participants must notify the Census Bureau by February 15, 2012 to allow adequate time for additional material creation and shipment. Please contact the Census Bureau by phone at (800) 972-5651 or by e-mail at geo.bas@census.gov for more information or to request materials.

Alternately, participants may download the MTPS and the accompanying data. For more information, please see the MTPS download page.

Paper BAS

Participants update their boundary and geographic information on paper maps.  The Census Bureau provides participants with paper maps or the participant can download and print the maps from the BAS web site.  In order to reduce the cost of this survey, the Census Bureau requests that participants view their maps online before requesting paper maps.  If there are no changes to report, the Census Bureau asks participants to return only the “No Change” postcard provided with their materials. 

There are seven steps involved in updating paper BAS materials, including:

• Reviewing and updating (if necessary) the geographic information on the BAS form
• Reviewing and annotating the map with boundary changes and corrections
• Annotating feature changes, additions, or deletions
• Annotating the address breaks at the intersection of roads and boundaries
• Annotating point and area landmark changes, additions and deletions
• Signing the updated maps
• Returning the updated maps and completed BAS forms

To participate in the 2012 BAS using paper maps, participants must notify the Census Bureau by February 1, 2012 to allow adequate time for material creation and shipment.  Please contact the Census Bureau by phone at (800) 972-5651 or by e-mail at geo.bas@census.gov for more information or to request materials.

Submitting a No Change Response

If your entity does not have any changes to report for the 2012 BAS cycle, you may notify the Census Bureau by e-mailing geo.bas@census.gov, phoning 1-800-972-5651, returning the Advance Response Form, or returning the paper No Change Postcard included in your BAS package. If you choose to notify the Census Bureau via e-mail, please type “no boundary changes” in the subject heading and provide the following contact information for your Highest Elected Official and, if different, the BAS contact:

• Name
• Title
• Entity Name
• Mailing Address
• Phone and Fax number
• Email Address