Digital Government

Omnibus boosts Census funding

The 2018 funding bill gives the bureau a long-sought funding increase as it enters a make-or-break testing period.

Digital Government

Commerce chief pushes Congress for census funding

Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur Ross pushed appropriators to fund the updated lifecycle cost for the census, but offered little about the citizenship question and the search for a permanent director.

Digital Government

Trump campaign taps census question as a fund-raising tool

A fundraising email for the Trump-Pence reelection campaign is trying to get supporters behind a controversial change to the census -- asking respondents whether or not they are U.S. citizens.

Digital Government

2018 Census test launches amid unanswered questions

As the Census Bureau kicks off its critical dress rehearsal for the decennial count, the agency faces IT systems unreadiness, funding uncertainty, a lack of permanent leadership and concerns over low response rates.

Acquisition

Can Census staff up for 2020?

With the decennial count looming, a watchdog report finds problems with how the Census Bureau handles background checks of temporary employees.

People

Students recruiting students into federal tech

Steve Kelman checks in with the Coding it Forward fellowship program.

Digital Government

Are postal carriers out as potential census takers?

Lawmakers are pressing the Census Bureau's decision to ditch a pilot program to test postal workers as enumerators in the 2020 population count.

Digital Government

Lawmakers press Census Bureau on readiness

Key members of the House Oversight committee want answers from Census Bureau leaders about readiness for critical 2018 tests.

Modernization

Will the Census Bureau's IT systems be ready for 2020?

For the 2020 census and beyond, the bureau has worked to develop a centralized data collection and processing system to improve cost and tech management. But will it be ready in time for 2020?

People

Experts fear Trump budget shortchanges Census

As the Census Bureau looks down the home stretch toward the 2020 population count, experts say the proposed $3.8 billion FY 2019 budget isn't enough.

People

Critical Census test to start on schedule, as long as the government doesn't shut down

Despite its unconfirmed budget and the possibility of another shutdown, the Census Bureau is moving ahead with its plans to conduct its critical dress rehearsal on time.

Digital Government

Census Bureau changes course on key 2020 question

The move comes despite statistical research supporting an internal Census recommendation to combine two key questions to improve response rates.

Digital Government

Digital fellowship program is back and growing for 2018

Building off last year's successful debut, the student-initiated Civic Digital Fellowship is back at more agencies, with more fellowship slots.

People

Census enters 2018 facing more questions than answers

After a 2017 filled with uncertainty and slipped deadlines, the Census Bureau faces a critical 2018 that could make or break the constitutionally mandated count.

Digital Government

AT&T to join Census mobile device efforts

The Commerce Dept. says a successful contract award protest is moot after AT&T agreed to join CDW-G on the Census mobile device-as-a-service contract as a subcontractor.

Digital Government

Open data tools promote Census awareness

Tech groups from nonprofits, companies, federal agencies and universities from across the country unveiled various digital tools based on federal data.

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.