NSC_2018BAS_AttachmentC_2018 BAS Letter Inserts

BAS-1L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental status of
all governmental units effective on or before January 1 of the survey year. This voluntary survey
is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct boundary and legal name
for your government. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you provide to report
data from the Population Estimates Program (PEP), the American Community Survey (ACS), and
other Census Bureau programs and surveys.
Step 1 Respond to the Boundary and Annexation Survey:
• Complete the online BAS Annual Response Form and Contact Update information online at
https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
OR
• Send an email to [email protected] indicating (1) whether you have boundary changes to
report (yes or no), and (2) whether the Highest Elected Official and BAS contacts are current
and the associated contact information for each is correct. If not, please provide updated
information. Be sure to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the subject
line of your message.
NOTE: If you have no boundary changes to report, we ask that you still provide a “NO”
response. Because we must contact all nonresponding governments, your “NO” response
is appreciated.
FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS: Please contact us if you are participating in a Consolidated
BAS (CBAS) agreement (where the county responds to the BAS on behalf of some or all of the
governmental units in the county) and need to update the list of governments for whom you are
reporting, OR if your county is not yet participating but you are interested in CBAS.
(To verify CBAS participation, visit our participant list at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/
bas/information/consolidated-bas.html)
Step 2 Report Boundary Changes (if in Step 1 you indicated boundary changes to report):
BAS materials will be posted for download on our website https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
beginning in January 2018.
KEY DATES
January 1, 2018
March 1, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the
ACS and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are
also reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
census.gov

May 31, 2018

BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

Please note that your response to the BAS does not replace any state or county reporting
requirements. Visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/information/state-agreements.html
for state reporting requirements.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
Enclosures

BAS-1L (9-2017)

BAS-2L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey
(BAS) to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental
status for federally recognized American Indian reservations, off-reservation trust land, and
tribal subdivisions within the United States effective on or before January 1 of the survey
year. This voluntary survey is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have your
correct boundary and legal name. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you
provide to report data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and other Census Bureau
programs and surveys.
In recognition of tribal sovereignty, the Census Bureau asks tribes directly about their
boundaries. It is important for your tribe to review Census Bureau boundaries because other
government agencies use Census Bureau boundaries and population data for programs and
funding.
Step 1 Respond to the Boundary and Annexation Survey:
• Complete the online BAS Annual Response Form and Contact Update information online at
https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
OR
• Send an email to [email protected] indicating (1) whether you have boundary changes to
report (yes or no), and (2) whether the Tribal Chair and BAS contacts are current and the
associated contact information for each is correct. If not, please provide updated information.
Be sure to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the subject line of your
message.
NOTE: If you have no boundary changes to report, we ask that you still provide a “NO”
response. Because we must contact all nonresponding governments, your “NO” response is
appreciated.
Step 2 Report Boundary Changes (if in Step 1 you indicated boundary changes to report):
BAS materials will be posted for download on our website https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
beginning in January 2018.

census.gov

KEY DATES
January 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
May 31, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS
published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also reflected
in next year’s BAS materials.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) will notify its members about the survey
and encourage participation in the 2018 BAS. If you have any questions, please contact the Census
Bureau.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
Enclosures

BAS-2L (9-2017)

BAS-3L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey
(BAS) to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental
status of all governmental units effective on or before January 1 of the survey year. This
voluntary survey is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct
boundary and legal name for your government. The Census Bureau will use the boundary
information you provide to report data from the Population Estimates Program (PEP), the
American Community Survey (ACS), and other Census Bureau programs and surveys.
The Census Bureau and your state or county representative are collaborating to consolidate
responses to the BAS. The representative has agreed to report all governmental annexations,
deannexations, incorporations, disincorporations, and mergers for the governments effective on
or before January 1 of the survey year to the Census Bureau. Since your government is
participating in this consolidation of work, we will not be sending you separate BAS materials.
Please work with your state or county BAS contact to ensure all boundary changes are
reported to the BAS.
For state reporting requirements, please visit the BAS Web page at the following link:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/information/state-agreements.html
Please confirm your contact information above for the Highest Elected Official and submit changes via email
to or submit online at https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
If you have questions about what will be submitted for your government to the Census Bureau, please contact
your representative:

census.gov

The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html

BAS-3L (9-2017)

BAS-4I BAS Response Methods Guide
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Response Methods
Digital BAS
Commercial GIS
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) designed its Digital BAS program to accept
digital spatial updates from its BAS participants. Those participants with GIS experience
have the option to use their own GIS software to create and submit spatial updates to the
Census Bureau. The Census Bureau does require that all participants using the
‘Commercial GIS’ option use and render Census Bureau supplied spatial data (currently
ESRI Shapefiles) for all updates. This ensures that all participants use the same spatial
base as the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau Digital BAS guidelines contain all the
information needed to guarantee a smooth update process. Participants can download
shapefiles and instructions from the BAS website at: https://www.census.gov/programssurveys/bas.html.

Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
GUPS is a Census Bureau provided customized GIS application that enables participants
without GIS software, or limited GIS skills, the ability to participate digitally in the BAS.
GUPS is similar to the ‘Commercial GIS’ option, but contains built-in BAS-specific tools
allowing participants to accurately make spatial and attribute updates in a standardized
format. These features make the GUPS the Census Bureau’s preferred method for digital
participation in the BAS. GUPS participants can request the software and shapefiles on
the BAS Annual Response form at:
http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html.

Paper BAS
Paper BAS is designed for participants who prefer to update their boundary and attribute
information on paper maps. In order to reduce the cost of the BAS, the Census Bureau
requests that participants first view their boundaries online at:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html prior to requesting paper maps. Paper
BAS participants can request maps using the BAS Annual Response form at:
http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html.
If specific maps sheets are needed, email [email protected] or call 1-800-972-5651.

A Note on the Paperwork Reduction Act
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Statement:
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for conducting this collection comes from
Title 13 U.S.C, Section 6.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0151. Public reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden
should be directed to: Paperwork Reduction 0607-0151, United States Census Bureau, 4600
Silver Hill Road, Room 3K138, Washington, DC 20233. You may email comments to
[email protected]; use “Paperwork Project 0607-0151” as the subject.

BAS-4L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental status of
all governmental units effective on or before January 1 of the survey year. This voluntary survey
is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct boundary and legal name
for your government. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you provide to report
data from the Population Estimates Program (PEP), the American Community Survey (ACS), and
other Census Bureau programs and surveys.
Step 1 Respond to the Boundary and Annexation Survey:
• Complete the online BAS Annual Response Form and Contact Update information online at
https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
OR
• Send an email to [email protected] indicating (1) whether you have boundary changes to
report (yes or no), and (2) whether the Highest Elected Official and BAS contacts are current
and the associated contact information for each is correct. If not, please provide updated
information. Be sure to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the
subject line of your message.
NOTE: If you have no boundary changes to report, we ask that you still provide a “NO”
response. Because we must contact all nonresponding governments, your “NO” response is
appreciated.
Step 2 Report Boundary Changes (if in Step 1 you indicated boundary changes to report):
BAS materials will be posted for download on our website
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html beginning January 2018.
Step 3 Let us know if you want your county to report for you:
Currently your county reports for other entities but your entity is not one of them. Please
email [email protected] if you would prefer your county to report for your entity. Be sure
to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the subject line of your
message.

census.gov

KEY DATES
January 1, 2018
March 1, 2018

May 31, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS
and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

Please note that your response to the BAS does not replace any state or county reporting
requirements. Visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/information/state-agreements.html
for state reporting requirements.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651,
or visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
Enclosures

BAS-4L (9-2017)

BAS-5I
Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Materials Checklist

Your Paper BAS packet includes:
• BAS Letter
• Respondent Guide - review latest updates at
< https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html>
• BAS Form
• Maps
• Colored pencils
• Postage-paid return envelope
To change your response method from Paper BAS to the Geographic Update Partnership Software
(GUPS), you must notify the U.S. Census Bureau by phone at 1-800-972-5651, by email at
[email protected] or respond online at http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html.

BAS-5L
(9-2017)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental status of
all governmental units effective on or before January 1 of the survey year. This voluntary survey
is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct boundary and legal name
for your government. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you provide to report
data from the Population Estimates Program (PEP), the American Community Survey (ACS), and
other Census Bureau programs and surveys.
Step 1 Respond to the Boundary and Annexation Survey:
• Your entity is in more than one county and at least one of the counties is responding to BAS
on your behalf through a Consolidated BAS (CBAS) agreement. Please report for the part of
your entity that is not in a county agreement. To determine which part to report for, visit our
participant list at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/information/consolidated-bas.html
• Complete the online BAS Annual Response Form and Contact Update information online at
https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_ar_form.html
OR
• Send an email to [email protected] indicating (1) whether you have boundary changes to
report (yes or no), and (2) whether the Highest Elected Official and BAS contacts are current
and the associated contact information for each is correct. If not, please provide updated
information. Be sure to include the 11-digit BAS ID listed at the top of this letter in the
subject line of your message.
NOTE: If you have no boundary changes to report, we ask that you still provide a “NO”
response. Because we must contact all nonresponding governments, your “NO” response is
appreciated.
Step 2 Report Boundary Changes (if in Step 1 you indicated boundary changes to report):
BAS materials will be posted for download on our website
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html beginning in January 2018. You only need to
report changes for the part of your entity not covered by the BAS consolidation in the CBAS
agreement.

census.gov

KEY DATES
January 1, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.

March 1, 2018

BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the ACS
and PEP published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.

May 31, 2018

BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

Please note that your response to the BAS, including a response provided under a consolidated
BAS agreement, does not replace any state or county reporting requirements. Visit
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/information/state-agreements.html for state
reporting requirements.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html
Enclosures

BAS-5L (9-2017)

DC

BAS-9L
(9-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
to update our records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, and governmental status of
all governmental units effective on or before January 1 of the survey year. This voluntary survey
is an important opportunity for you to ensure that we have the correct boundary and legal name
for your government. The Census Bureau will use the boundary information you provide to report
data from Census Bureau programs and surveys.
Enclosed are materials you requested to report boundary changes.
Please keep these dates in mind when returning your submission.
KEY DATES
January 1, 2018

All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the BAS 2018.

March 1, 2018

BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in the
American Community Survey (ACS) and Population Estimates Program
(PEP) published data. Boundary submissions received by this date are also
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.

May 31, 2018

BAS submission date deadline for boundary updates to be reflected in next
year’s BAS materials. Submissions after this date are not guaranteed to be
reflected in next year’s BAS materials.
The Census Bureau will attempt to include submitted street and landmark
updates as resources permit.

Please note that your response to the BAS does not replace any state or county reporting
requirements. Visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas/information/state-agreements.html
for state reporting requirements.
The Census Bureau appreciates your response to this important voluntary survey. If you need any
assistance with this request, please email , telephone 1–800–972–5651, or
visit https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas.html
Enclosures

census.gov

BAS-14I

Indiana Boundary Information
Special note regarding townships
The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) will no longer be sending the annual Boundary and
Annexation Survey to Indiana townships. Per the Indiana Code (IC), counties provide the
updates for the townships. Please refer to IC 36-6 Government of Townships for more
information.
Please report township boundary changes on your county maps or request specific townships
maps.

Indiana General Assembly website: https://iga.in.gov/

BAS-15I

Georgia Boundary Information
If you provide boundary changes for an incorporated place to the U.S. Census Bureau (Census
Bureau) through the Boundary and Annexation Survey, please ensure that all annexation and
deannexation information has been reported to the Department of Community Affairs, per the
Georgia Code. The Georgia Code is available at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/.
The Georgia Code stipulates that all annexations and deannexations to incorporated places be
reported to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The Census Bureau has an ongoing working relationship with this state agency to conduct the
annual Boundary and Annexation Survey. A list of entities that reported boundary changes to the
Georgia Department of Community Affairs is provided to the Census Bureau each year.
By agreement, boundary changes to incorporated places not on this list will not be incorporated
into the Census Bureau’s geographic database.
You may report your boundary changes to the Department of Community Affairs online or print
a boundary change report form at http://www.georgiaplanning.com/annex.htm.
Printed forms can be mailed to:
Annexation Reports
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
If you would like to review the data which the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has
for your entity, please visit http://www.georgiaplanning.com/boundary/annexations/. If you have
any concerns about this data, contact Lisa Westin at 404-679-3135.

Boundary and Annexation
Survey (BAS)
What is the Boundary and Annexation Survey?
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) is the primary way that
local, county, and tribal governments ensure that their legal boundaries—and
consequently, their official population counts—are correctly recorded with the
federal government. Every year, governments use the BAS to update their legal
boundaries and official names.
In the BAS, governments report official name changes,
(dis)incorporations, and (de)annexations. Governments can
also update boundaries, features, and landmarks for:
• Cities, towns, boroughs, and villages (incorporated places)
• Townships and towns (minor civil divisions)
• Counties (or county equivalents)
• Consolidated cities
• Roads and other applicable linear features

Find forms, information, and
materials about the BAS online at
.
Contact us at
or
1-800-972-5651.

How does the BAS benefit you?
Legal boundaries determine your government’s population count every year in
the American Community Survey and the Population Estimates Program. Many
government agencies and other groups use population counts to determine the
allocation of funds. Responding to the BAS ensures that your local government
has the best data available for its decision-making processes, and that it
receives all of the funds for which it is entitled.
In addition, our boundary records are publicly available and used by
many other federal agencies, researchers, and the public. Because
the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for tracking America’s legal
boundaries and population data, geographic updates that you
provide to us ripple out in numerous important ways.

Accurate boundary records directly affect
the quality of life in your community.
Accurate boundaries allow
us to count your community’s
residents accurately.

Your participation in the BAS
helps the Census Bureau
continue to produce accurate
data, which directly affects the
quality of life in your community.

An accurate count helps the federal
government allocate more than
$675 billion in federal funds annually
for programs and services—including
education, housing, health care
services for the elderly, job training,
transportation, and more.

Connect With Us

Responding to the BAS is easy.
The Census Bureau provides multiple free, user-friendly methods for
responding to the BAS.
Paper option
BAS participants can request free paper maps from the BAS Web site.
Basic digital option
The Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) is a free, customized
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tool that will be available during the
BAS. It was specifically developed for people who do not have geographic
training or are not experienced GIS users.
Advanced digital option
Experienced GIS users can update boundaries in their own GIS. The Census
Bureau provides free GIS files in shapefile format on its Web site, along with
digital update guidelines. Governments can update those shapefiles in their GIS
and use them to respond to the BAS.

To make responding to the BAS as easy
as possible, we’ve created a YouTube
channel with videos to walk you through
the survey.
Visit .

To see the existing boundaries that we
have on file for your community, visit the
Census Bureau’s online map application at
.

Will the Census Bureau contact my
government for the BAS program?
Every year, the Census Bureau will send the BAS to
key contacts for every government affected by the
survey:
• The government’s highest-elected official, such as
the mayor or county executive.
• A GIS staff, planner, clerk, or other contact that the
government instructs us to contact.
• The relevant state-level official.

Version 3, 11/15/2017

BAS Schedule
January: The Census Bureau
e-mails annual response information
to BAS contacts with instructions for
participation.
March 1(first deadline): Legal
boundary updates (not including
nonlegal boundary corrections) sent
by this date are included in the next
Population Estimates Program and
American Community Survey
shapefiles and population
estimates.
May 31(final deadline): Boundary
updates sent by this date will
appear in the next year’s BAS
shapefiles.

Boundary and Annexation
Survey (BAS)
What is the Boundary and Annexation Survey?
The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) is the primary way that tribal,
local, and county governments ensure that their legal boundaries—and
consequently, the official population counts within those boundaries—are
correctly recorded with the federal government. Every year, tribal governments
use the BAS to update their federal reservation and off-reservation trust land
boundaries.
In the BAS, tribal governments report new land and
update boundaries, features, and landmarks for:
•
•
•
•

Find forms, information, and
materials about the BAS online at
.
Contact us at
or
1-800-972-5651.

Federal reservations
Off-reservation trust lands
Tribal subdivisions
Roads

How does the BAS benefit you?
Accurate legal boundaries are part of the foundation of good decision-making
for tribal governments. For example, they help determine your community’s
population count every year in the American Community Survey. Many
government agencies and other groups use population counts to determine
their allocation of funds. Responding to the BAS ensures that your tribe has
the best data available in its decision-making processes, and that it receives
all of the funds for which it is entitled.
In addition, our boundary records are publicly available and used by
many other federal agencies, researchers, and the public. Because the
U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for tracking America’s legal
boundaries and population data, geographic updates that you provide
to us ripple out in numerous important ways.

Accurate boundary records directly affect the
quality of life in your community.
Accurate boundaries allow us
to count all of the residents of
your reservation and offreservation trust land correctly.

Your participation in the BAS
helps the Census Bureau
continue to produce accurate
data, which directly affects the
quality of life in your community.

An accurate count helps the federal
government allocate more than $675
billion in federal funds annually for
programs and services—
including education, housing, health
care services for the elderly, job training,
transportation, and more.

Connect With Us

Responding to the BAS is easy.
The Census Bureau provides multiple free, user-friendly methods for
responding to the BAS.
Paper option
Tribes can request free paper maps from the BAS Web site.
Basic digital option
The Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) is a free, customized
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tool that will be available during the
BAS. It was specifically developed for people who do not have geographic
training or are not experienced GIS users.
Advanced digital option
Experienced GIS users can update boundaries in their own GIS. The Census
Bureau provides free GIS files in shapefile format on its Web site, along with
digital update guidelines. Governments can update those shapefiles in their GIS
and use them to respond to the BAS.

To make responding to the BAS as easy
as possible, we’ve created a YouTube
channel with videos to walk you through
the survey.
Visit .

To see the existing boundaries that we
have on file for your community, visit the
Census Bureau’s online map application at
.

Will the Census Bureau contact my
tribe for the BAS program?
In recognition of tribal sovereignty, the Census Bureau
works government to government with federally
recognized tribes and contacts the following every
year.
• The tribal chairperson.
• A GIS staff, planner, clerk, or other contact that the
tribe instructs us to contact.
• National American Indian Housing Council members

Version 3, 11/15/2017

BAS Schedule
January: The Census Bureau
e-mails annual response information
to BAS contacts with instructions for
participation.
March 1(first deadline): Legal
boundary updates sent by this date
are included in the next American
Community Survey shapefiles and
population estimates.
May 31(final deadline): Boundary
updates sent by this date will
appear in the next year’s BAS
shapefiles and maps.