2020 Census Printing and Mailing Contract

• On October 16, 2017, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) awarded contract to Cenveo Inc. on Census’ behalf.
• On February 2, Cenveo Inc. and its affiliates filed for Reorganization in the Southern District of New York under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Cenveo notified GPO and Census of its filing that day.
  
• Production printing for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test began on February 14. They have completed printing of the questionnaires, which is the largest component of the print job. Start-up activities for inserts and other materials are underway.
• Attorneys from DOC, the Government Publishing Office, and the US Attorney’s Office (USAO) are coordinating efforts to seek additional information and assurances of future performance from Cenveo and intend to take all appropriate steps consistent with the contract and applicable law to protect the government’s interests.
  
• The USAO will send a letter to Cenveo’s bankruptcy counsel in order to gather information geared toward determining whether Cenveo will have the financial ability to perform the contract. Based upon the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement, the debtors' bankruptcy is on a "fast-track" with a plan to be filed by early April and for confirmation and consummation of that plan to be complete before the end of July. 

Residence Criteria

• A Federal Register Notice published on February 8 outlined the final Residence Criteria for the 2020 Census.
  • Press activity and Congressional Inquiries have been minimal.

2018 End-to-End Test Readiness

• We have 2,566 qualified candidates (as of February 15) for the Nonresponse Followup operation. Our goal for entering training is 1,166 so that we can have about 1,049 trained entering NRFU.
  • The Census Bureau will continue to aggressively recruit candidates and remains concerned about recruiting for the 2020 Census.
    

2020 Census Operational Readiness

• 12 of the 40 Wave 1 area census offices have a lease award/signed occupancy agreement, as of February 15. Space has been identified for 20 of the 208 Wave 2 area census offices, as of February 15.
  
  • We have concerns, which the General Services Administration (GSA) shares, that the leasing process is not moving forward as quickly as it needs to in some areas. GSA is bringing in their national team to address this.
    
• Space for five of the six regional census centers has been accepted.

2020 Census Questionnaire

• Systems have been adjusted to handle the two-question format for the Race/Ethnicity Question.
• We are prepared to deliver the questions to Congress by March 31 pending resolution of the Department of Justice’s request for the addition of a question on citizenship to the 2020 Census Short Form.

Integrated Partnership and Communications

• The mail out of questionnaires for the Census Barriers, Attitudes, and Motivators Survey (CBAMS) for the qualitative survey began on February 20, with the focus planned for March 14 to April 19. This will provide critical data on small population groups and people who speak languages other than English.