Acquisition

IG: Census underestimates costs of 2020 count

Inaccurate assumptions in the Census Bureau's 2016 test plan are contributing to the agency's underestimation of what the 2020 enumeration will cost.

People

How would Trump’s proposed cuts affect the census?

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commerce Department secretary by a 72 to 27 vote Feb. 27, but the future of programs and positions Ross will oversee remains hazy.

Cybersecurity

How Einstein changes the way government does business

The Department of Commerce is revising its confidentiality agreement for statistical data survey respondents to reflect the fact that the Department of Homeland Security could see some of that data if it is captured by the Einstein system.

Digital Government

2020 census tabbed as 'high risk' by GAO

The 2020 Census is one of three additions to GAO's 2017 list of high-risk government programs.

Digital Government

Does the U.S. have new clout over the global internet?

A former NTIA administrator told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that the handover of internet address book functions to an international group gives the administration new bargaining cred.

Digital Government

Despite budget uncertainty, Census remains 'on track,' officials say

The Census Bureau has altered and trimmed programs in advance of the 2018 end-to-end test of census tech, but officials say that despite budget uncertainty, the projects remain on schedule.

People

Trump's pick for Commerce talks tech

Wilbur Ross, the Department of Commerce secretary-designate, discussed IT-intensive components of Commerce -- including cybersecurity, spectrum allocation, broadband accessibility and Census operations -- at his Senate confirmation hearing.

Digital Government

New advisory committee will assist in 2020 census

The Census Bureau is establishing a committee of public- and private-sector representatives to make sure plans for the 2020 population count are on track.

People

Census announces test plans for 2017, 2018

After deciding to call off field tests, the Census Bureau announced it is moving forward with address canvassing tests in 2017 and confirmed its 2018 end-to-end test locations.

Digital Government

Census calls off 2017 field tests, cites funding uncertainty

Bureau officials said the decision to cancel the upcoming tests is not ideal, but it is "the best overall operation remaining amid current uncertainty" about fiscal 2017 funding.

Digital Government

House panel checks in on Census IT testing

Key lawmakers want to make sure the Census Bureau is leaving enough time to acquire and test critical IT systems to support the 2020 population count.

Modernization

Census awards $430M contract to support 2020 count

GDIT will provide contact-center systems and operations support with a FedRAMP-compliant, cloud-based platform.

Modernization

GAO warns Census IT efforts are lagging

The Census Bureau may miss targets on a major IT modernization plan ahead of the 2020 population count, according to a GAO report.

People

Census report shows massive shifts in IT professions

A new Census Bureau report charts changes in IT jobs over the past 44 years as computers and the internet fueled a flowering of IT occupations.

Cybersecurity

Census taps Mandiant for cyber assessment

The Census Bureau selected a vendor on a sole-source basis to assess its vulnerability -- and announced plans to hire a CISO.

Modernization

House panel wants update on Census IT risks

As the 2020 enumeration draws ever closer, key lawmakers want assurances that the Census Bureau is managing risks in IT acquisition.

Digital Government

Questions persist about U.S. Census as Aussie effort lags

The spotlight will be on the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 count, especially in light of a major IT fail by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which prevented thousands of people from completing their mandatory surveys.

Digital Government

Census moves ahead with 2017 testing plans

The Census Bureau is seeking public feedback on its plan to use Puerto Rico as a proving ground for tech in advance of the 2020 enumeration.

People

Census seeks CTO

With Avi Bender's departure to lead a data push at another Commerce Department component, the Census Bureau needs a new tech leader ahead of the 2020 headcount.

Digital Government

GAO doesn't trust 2020 census financials

The federal watchdog warns in a new report that the Census Bureau's $12.5 billion price tag for 2020 was not calculated reliably.