As we come toward the end of the Peak Operations phase of the 2018 End-to-End Census Test, we begin the process of analyzing the test results and making necessary adjustments to the 2020 Census Program. We are currently wrapping up our analysis of the Address Canvassing operation. In the near future we will provide the updated 2018 End-to-End Census Test Address Canvassing Evaluation Report detailing the analysis of the In-Office Address Canvassing results compared with In-Field Address Canvassing results in the Providence test site. We also will provide the 2018 End-to-End Census Test Address Canvassing Assessment Report detailing the results of the operation in all three test sites. Decennial staff are currently reviewing data from the peak operations of the test and will be reporting on that in the months ahead.

Work on the Integrated Partnership and Communications Program is now beginning to ramp up. High level findings from the Census Barriers, Attitudes and Motivators Study have been presented to senior leadership, and the underlying data are being studied in preparation for the creative work that will begin in September. The data from CBAMS, in connection with the other research conducted this year will inform the development of the communications campaign platform. In addition, staffing for the Community Partnership and Engagement Program continues to ramp up, and the existing Partnership Specialists have obtained agreements from 38 states to establish Complete Count Commissions (CCC). The states that have not committed yet face gubernatorial elections in the fall of 2018 and have indicated that they do not want to commit resources until the new governor is in place. In addition to the state complete count commissions, there is significant work being done to establish complete count committees at the county and city level. The National Partnership Program has made contact with 248 of 368 “keystone partners,” as of August 30. Keystone partners are an initial group of national organizations being approached to support the 2020 Census. So far, 59 of these organizations have agreed to become a national partner, and 73 have expressed interest.

The office infrastructure for the 2020 Census also is being put into place. As of August 30, lease awards have been granted to all 40 Wave 1 area census offices (ACOs). Design intent drawings are complete for all 40 of the offices, construction drawings are complete for 30, and tenant improvement costs are approved and notice to proceed was given for 6. All 40 of the Wave 1 ACOs are scheduled to open between January and March 2019. While we expect to meet our deadlines, the pace of this work is a concern. Deputy Secretary Karen Dunn Kelley is meeting biweekly with General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy (along with Census Bureau and GSA senior management) to discuss GSA progress on the 2020 Census ACO lease acquisition and build-out schedule and specifically address plans to expedite lease acquisition and to ensure steps are being taken to enable the Census Bureau to open the offices on schedule. We will continue to closely monitor this situation.