Modernization
Why GAO nixed the Census mobile deal
Census made several key slipups in its decision to award a $283 million mobile device contract for the 2020 population count, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Digital Government
Commerce looks to the post office for census help
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross testified the department is "in negotiations" with USPS to use its postal carriers part-time to conduct Census operations during the 2018 end-to-end test.
Digital Government
Census delays IT contracts, plays catchup on systems
At a quarterly meeting, Census announced it has delayed two key IT contracts, but following a requested funding increase, is catching up on IT systems development.
Acquisition
GAO sustains protest in $283M Census mobile contract
As the Census Bureau prepares to ramp up its preparations on a tight budget and schedule, the Government Accountability Office decided a critical $283 million contract was not rightfully awarded.
Digital Government
Extra $3 billion might not solve all Census woes
More money might not alleviate concerns about IT preparedness and communications programs entering the 2018 dress rehearsal.
Digital Government
Commerce: 2020 census to cost $3B more than planned
IT cost overruns and fears of low online response rates have contributed to a steep upward revision of the costs of counting the U.S. population in 2020.
Digital Government
NAACP sues Commerce amid concerns over census prep, funding
The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against the Commerce Department alleging the agency illegally withheld internal documents regarding the Census Bureau's preparation for the 2020 count.
Digital Government
Census dinged by IG for canvassing error rate
A recent Department of Commerce inspector general report raises questions about the quality control procedures for an in-office component of the Census Bureau's address canvassing operation.
Acquisition
Census delays field IT contract award
As key field tests for the 2020 enumeration approaches, the Census Bureau announced it was going to be later than expected with a key contract award on field IT.
Digital Government
Can Congress save the 2020 census?
As the Census Bureau has had to cancel or suspend programs to cope with budgetary constraints, Congress is going to have to ramp up funding and oversight down the home stretch to avoid a failed count.
Digital Government
Census walks back tech solution to population count
The Census Bureau expects to nearly double the number of in-person household visits -- and in turn, the total burden hours -- during its critical dress rehearsal test.
Digital Government
Thompson dishes on Census concerns, needs for catch-up
Recently retired Census Director John Thompson raised concerns about the status and swelling cost of the decennial count and urged Congress to adequately fund the final preparations.
Digital Government
How cloud can take open data to new heights
By removing the storage and transmission barriers, agencies are seeing the use of their datasets explode.
Digital Government
Census' $2B+ IT toolkit starts to take shape
With preparations for a dress rehearsal set to begin in August, the Census Bureau is rounding out the contracted services for its 2020 count.
Digital Government
Census pares down critical dress rehearsal
The Census Bureau’s decisions to pare down operations and tests of IT systems to manage its finances in advance of the decennial count have extended to the critical 2018 dress rehearsal.
People
Lawmakers press on Census finances and leadership
Lawmakers from the House have raised concerns about the uncertainty of financial estimates of the costs of the 2020 census, while senators are urging President Trump to swiftly name a permanent director.
Digital Government
Career official assumes Census leadership as key tests loom
Two career officials will serve as Census director and deputy director as the bureau faces multiple test and challenges in the run-up to the 2020 enumeration.
Digital Government
Commerce chief indicates flexibility on 2020 census funding
Despite Trump's request for a $1.4 billion cut to the Department of Commerce, secretary Wilbur Ross indicated room for some budgetary flexibility to pull off the 2020 census.
Digital Government
Census funding falls short of Obama-era plans
President Trump's budget proposal falls almost $300 million short of his predecessor's proposal for fiscal year 2018, raising concerns that an already-challenged census could be in historic trouble.
People