Every census Americans gives the Census Bureau a challenge in obtaining accurate data because so many disregard the mailer requesting household details. Yet, in 2010, the Bureau hoped the count would be different. It would still be a challenge to count the approximately 300 million Americans, but the Census Bureau within the Department of Commerce has established technology contracts for just this purpose. The solution: use hand-held computers to aid the door-to-door portion of the 2010 Decennial Census.

In mid-December 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) questioned the technology and development of the Census Bureau's multi-million dollar project for the 2010 Census. This week, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told a House Appropriations subcommittee that the technology to facilitate the 2010 Census has not succeeded and the contracts may be scraped. Secretary Gutierrez was quick to take the blame, describing the situation as "unacceptable" and the Bureau as "unprepared" to deal with a contractor on a large contract. Even as the Census Bureau begins to deal with these management issues, it doesn't change the fact that the 2010 Decennial appeared disorganized and over budget (although I don't think an actual budget existed).

According to some sources, the Department of Commerce didn't correctly spell out the requirement to the contractor, Harris Corporation. According to lawmakers, everyone is to blame. In particular, the Census Bureau did not prepare for technology glitches earlier. Other sources indicated the complications were two-fold. First, the Census was unable to properly train its field representatives during a test run in North Carolina. Second, the devices failed to handle the amount of data necessary to make the counting run smoothly.

Back to Old Faithful: Door to Door Pencil and Paper Questionnaires

Both Harris and Census officials are saying that some handhelds are still being utilized. Unfortunately not to the level originally anticipated, but over 50,000 will aid in the national head-count. The result: the Census Bureau will utilize both the handheld computers and over 600,000 volunteers to complete the mandated count.

Is Harris Corporation still involved? Yes. The original award for the handheld computers has already increased $50 million from $596 to $647 million despite the projected use of these computers having diminished. According to INPUT's Federal Contracts Database, the first two years of this contract have resulted in almost $132.6 million in obligations. Additionally, they will be doing work from a mapping and data collection perspective; that contract does not appear to affect the success or efficiency of the 2010 Census quite so much.

Who else is involved? The 2010 Decennial Response Integration System (DRIS) currently being performed by Lockheed Martin has not received nearly as much attention. In December 2007, GAO reported that DRIS was showing "mixed progress" but did adhere to functionality standards and projected cost. However, the DRIS could not remove the pencil/paper necessity completely and the Census Bureau eventually dropped an Internet functionality requirement as well.

Now what?

Of course the constitutionally mandated Census will still occur and 33-35% of Americans will still fail to return the Census Bureau's card forcing more home-to-home visits. But it begs the question, how to change the public image of the 2010 Census and simultaneously convince more Americans to respond via the Postal Service? Well, I guess that's what the $300 M communications/public relations contract could do. In fact, the Census Bureau and prime contractor, DRAFTFCB, are still looking for subcontracting partners. However, I'll do my part for free: my motto will be "send back the card," if their motto becomes "start earlier for 2020".