BBSPV_QuickReferenceGuide_Final

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Block Boundary Suggestion Project Verification (BBSPV) Quick Reference Guide for GUPS and Non-GUPS Participants


    A. Updated Data

The partnership shapefile suite used for BBSPV is an updated version from that used last year for BBSP. The new suite, the 2027 BAS Partnership shapefiles (partnership_shapefiles_26v2) are required as the source data for submitting any updates during BBSPV and reflect updates made during BBSP. Updates made during BBSPV must be based on the new PVS_26 partnership shapefiles (contained in the partnership_shapefiles_26v2 zip files) and we can no longer accept updates based on the PVS_25 shapefiles used last year.

The prototype block shapefiles used for BBSPV (bbsp27) have also been updated from those used for BBSP (bbsp26). These newer prototype block shapefiles (bbsp27) reflect the updates made during BBSP.

For GUPS Web Users: GUPS Web participants will automatically have the updated shapefile versions for BBSPV within GUPS Web which will create new BBPV projects for their counties.

For Non-GUPS Users: The partnership shapefiles are available on the partnership shapefiles website and on the FTP site. The prototype block shapefiles are available on the FTP site. For more information, refer to the BBSPV Participant Guide for User Supplied GIS, Section 2.1 Obtaining Census Shapefiles.

    B. User Guide Updates

Both the GUPS Web and Non-GUPS User Guides have been updated for BBSPV.

For GUPS Users: Additional Information on how to verify Must Hold and Do Not Hold flags applied during BBSP are included in Section 4.8.1 Performing Verification.

For Non-GUPS Users: Additional information on how to verify Must Hold and Do Not Hold flags applied during BBSP are included in Section 2.10.1 Performing Verification.

    C. GUPS Web Enhancements for BBSPV

During BBSP, several GUPS Web users reached out with suggestions for enhancing GUPS Web. We are happy to announce the following GUPS Web enhancements for BBSPV.

Improved User Management. To reduce the confusion of having project collaborators who could or could not submit to the Census Bureau, the role of Project Reviewer was added. The Project Reviewer role allows users to work on the county/counties assigned to them but does not allow them to submit the work directly to the Census Bureau. In addition to this new role, we have added the capability for Project Owners to download a project status report for their state.

Adaptable GUPS Web Interface. Users will be able to keep their legend open when opening other tools. They will also be able to temporarily turn off the description pop-up that is displayed on the map while making updates.

Improved GUPS Web Symbology. Users will be able to use unique value symbology to change the color of polygons within the base layers as well as for any reference shapefiles they have imported. Some labels will also move dynamically when users pan and zoom within the project.

Use of Coordinates in GUPS Web. Users will be able to view the coordinates of the area they are in as well as move to other areas within the county using coordinates. 

Ability to Create Shared Bookmarks. Users can opt for bookmarks to either be shared (default) or private.  Shared bookmarks will be available to all users within the county and private bookmarks will only be available to the bookmark creator. The coordinates of the bookmark location will also be displayed.

Notification of Reference Shapefile Issues. Users sometimes had difficulty loading reference shapefiles into GUPS Web that did not meet PostGIS shapefile conversion technical requirements. GUPS Web is now able to identify shapefiles that will have this issue and provide feedback during the upload process.

    D. Important Notes

For the 2030 Redistricting Data Program, GUPS Web users will select Block Boundary Suggestion Project Verification as their project even if they did not participate in BBSP in 2026.

Please submit your work on a flow basis as early as possible. This allows the Redistricting Data Program staff to thoroughly review your updates and allows time to work with you if there are issues with your submission.

Once you have identified the counties for which you will not be performing updates, please send an email to [email protected] with a list of these counties at your earliest convenience.