Census Bureau to test IT before count

Where would the U.S. Census be without information technology? Nowhere, that's for sure. In an interview with nextgov.com, Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said the agency plans to test technology after the Thanksgiving break to make sure the census is free of problems when it begins counting the population later this year.

GAO and IG reports already have pointed out the lack of testing in various subsystems, an issue that has been evaluated by outside experts, Groves said. The Census also has new software being built for paper-based nonresponse follow-up. It will replace the handheld computers that initially were scheduled for use, but abandoned.

"After Thanksgiving we will perform a load test on systems that will be in action during nonresponse follow-up," Groves said. "We're going to make sure we break the system to measure the capacity."

Groves added that he can't imagine conducting a census in 2020 "without some Internet use."

"When I say we must have an Internet option, I must admit I'm not quite sure myself," he said. "We have to take advantage of the technology; other countries already are."

For more on technology and the Census:
- see this nextgov.com article

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