Data collection is nearly complete for the 2017 Census Test (pp. 8-9). Reviews of 2017 Census Test response rates by mode (internet, telephone, mail) are underway, as are assessments of applications and systems used for the Test. Preliminary results and findings are also being used, as appropriate, to modify requirements, solutions, and other operational aspects for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test.

Development, testing, and integration of the system of systems for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test continue by government staff and contractors, as do preparatory efforts, related to over 24 major operations that are in scope for the Test (pp. 10-17). Much of this work also supports similar systems efforts for the 2020 Census (pp. 24-25). The Test is planned to take place, with an April 1, 2018 Census Day, in portions of three areas: Providence County, Rhode Island; Pierce County, Washington; and Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, West Virginia.¹ Providence County’s demographics mirror those of the nation, providing a microcosm of the 2020 Census experience. Pierce County offers a large military population, while Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill provides a very rural environment. Pierce County offers a West Coast location, providing an opportunity for system latency testing as well.

The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program is underway (see pp. 26-27). The Census Bureau continues to conduct workshops with staff from governmental units interested in participating in the LUCA program. Additionally, materials are being prepared for the July 2017 mailout of invitation letters and registration forms to all 39,000 functioning governmental units.

Work with the United States Postal Service (USPS) continues on several fronts. A Memorandum of Understanding preliminary draft has been prepared describing the enterprise-wide business activities between the Census Bureau and USPS and reflecting the strategies to create a sustainable partnership over long- and short-term time frames. We expect to release a study plan, updated schedule and finalized site locations for the “Postal Carriers as Census Enumerators” pilot project (p. 27 and 17).

Efforts continue with the General Services Administration to begin identifying suitable space for the temporary field offices that will be needed for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test (p. 11) and for the 2020 Census (p. 34).

Through May 31, 2017, 87.8 percent of 2017 Census Test activities and 27.7 percent of 2018 End-to-End Census Test activities were completed (p. 38).

Extensive engagements with stakeholders and oversight also continue. On May 3, 2017, Director John Thompson testified before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies on oversight of the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau is working actively to close open recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of Inspector General (OIG). GAO currently has 4 major audits in progress related to the 2020 Census, and OIG has 3 as well.

_______________
¹ The FY 2018 President’s Budget released in May 2017 proposes conducting the 2018 End-to-End Test at only one location (Providence, Rhode Island). The de-scoped field test sites from the 2017 Census Test are not included in the FY 2018 President’s Budget proposal for the 2018 End-to-End Test.

Some specific program updates include:

• Concluded data collection operations on May 12, 2017, as scheduled.
• Completed internet data collection on May 12, 2017.
• Began Clerical Non-ID Processing for the 2017 Census Test.
• Concluded Automated Non-ID Processing for the 2017 Census Test.
• Continued re-interview operations for Tribal Enrollment and Non-ID Validation (through July 10, 2017).

• Submitted final comments on Internet Self-Response capability requirements for 2018 End-to-End Census Test.
• Delivered specifications (capability requirements) to the Government Publishing Office for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test for printing, package assembly, and mailing of paper questionnaires, letters, and cards.
• Developing performance report requirements that will be needed to monitor operations.
• Delivered geographic files for the test area operations.
• Conducted discussion sessions with the United States Postal Service in two different working group meetings on May 4, 2017 and May 30, 2017. Discussed detail and addressed questions about the technology of Informed Delivery, brainstormed possibilities of collaborating on using Informed Delivery, and discussed details around the mail strategy including timing of mailings.
• Conducted the Test Readiness Release 2 for Release A (In-Field Address Canvassing) systems on May 10, 2017 and Training Release 1 (Address Canvassing onboarding and training) Production Readiness Review on May 26, 2017.
• Approved proposal on May 16, 2017 to redesign the Update Enumerate operation and to re-introduce the Update/Leave operation. The Update Enumerate operation will not be tested in the 2018 End-to-End Census Test and will be performed in only a limited area in the 2020 Census. The Update/Leave operation will be tested in the 2018 End-to-End Census Test and will be conducted in the majority of areas previously designated for Update Enumerate.
• Accepted space for the Providence Area Census Office (ACO) on May 17, 2017. Office opened on May 26, 2017. Notice to Proceed for the Beckley ACO was signed on May 10, 2017.

• Conducted the 2020 Systems Requirement Review and began the Critical Design Review.
• Obtained approval of the Security, Privacy and Confidentiality Detailed Operational Plan for 2020.
• Held LUCA Promotional Outreach events in May. LUCA staff at the National Processing Center continued to receive Contact Information Update Forms from reminders mailed to partners, and the staff will be updating the Geographic Program Participant (GPP) database and LUCA Production Control System (PCS) with that information.
• Enterprise Census Bureau-United States Postal Service Memorandum of Understanding is under development. Anticipated target date for finalization is the end of FY2017.
• The Redistricting Data Program presented their final Business Process Models, Business Requirements and Capability Requirements at the System Readiness Review meeting on May 1, 2017.
• Held Executive Program Management Review (PMR) for the Integrated Partnership and Communications Program on May 4, 2017.
• Submitted early draft of the 2020 Census Records Schedule to the National Archives and Records Administration for preliminary review on May 11, 2017.
• Conducted General Services Administration (GSA)-Census Joint Lease Acquisition Training in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 15-18, 2017. The training was conducted with Census Regional and Headquarters staff and the GSA and supports leasing process for all 2020 Census Area Census Offices.
• Continued meeting expected production goals for the 2020 Census In-Office Address Canvassing Interactive Review. We have completed 10,956,110 blocks during Interactive Review from the beginning of production in September 2015 through May 31, 2017.
• As of May 31, 2017, classified 71.2 percent of the blocks as Passive, which means that there are either no changes or observed changes are straightforward and easy to update, 16.9 percent as Active, meaning there are significant changes requiring In-Field Address Canvassing, and 1.9 percent as On-Hold.

• Provided Action Plan in response to Office of Inspector General (OIG) Final Report on 2016 Census Test on May 9, 2017.
• Received OIG Final Report on the 2016 Address Canvassing Test on May 11, 2017.
• Held exit conference for Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit on 2020 Address Canvassing on May 15, 2017.
• Held exit conference for OIG Review of Census Interactive Address Canvassing Operation on May 16, 2017.
• Provided Action Plan for OIG Final Report on Management of Administrative Records and Third-Party Data on May 25, 2017.
• Provided an overview of the 2020 Census translation work at an Interagency Language Roundtable meeting on May 12, 2017.