As we near the end of the Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) phase of the 2018 End-to-End Census Test, systems continue to function effectively. Progress for field enumeration is on track, despite the fact that our deployed NRFU workforce of 735 fell short of our planned workforce of 1,049. This suggests that the productivity rate is higher than estimated. In addition, costs for NRFU are lower than estimated. Final data on NRFU will not be available until the operation is complete and case closeout procedures have been fully implemented. Regardless of the outcome, though, it is clear that we will need to adjust our recruiting strategies to try to come closer to our hiring targets when we actually get to the 2020 Census. NRFU operations will conclude on July 31, 2018.

Other peak operations proceed apace. These include Coverage Improvement, which is designed to resolve erroneous enumerations and omissions based on a review of the initial census self-response data collection operation and all field enumeration and follow-up operations, and Group Quarters Advance Visit. The Group Quarters Data Collection operation itself will begin on July 25, 2018.

We are also making progress in building the infrastructure we will need to conduct the 2020 Census. The Regional Census Centers are now open and hiring staff. As of June 28, 2018, 38 of the 40 Wave 1 area census offices (ACOs) have a lease award, one has a signed occupancy agreement (North Brooklyn, NY), and one does not have space identified (Nashville, TN). Of the 208 Wave 2 ACOs scheduled to have leases awarded by October 15, 41 have a lease award, 24 have an occupancy agreement signed, 93 have space identified and a pending lease award, and 50 do not have space identified. The Census Bureau is working closely with GSA in order to obtain office space through all leasing processes that are available, up to and including the traditional broker leasing process. The Department of Commerce is working with GSA and the Census Bureau to ensure that this task remains on target.

We have concerns about two of our major contracts. The Technical Integrator contract was protested September 2016. We are still working on the corrective action to address the issues raised to GAO in the protest. In addition, we continued to work with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to identify the best strategy to reduce risk to 2020 Census Operations in light of the bankruptcy of our print contractor, Cenveo.