The Census Bureau will abandon a plan to use hand-held computers when it conducts its door-to-door count in 2010 and will instead record population figures on pad and paper, citing problems with the computer contractor.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez yesterday blamed the setback on “significant schedule, performance and cost issues” with its contractor, Harris Corp.
“A lack of effective communication with one of our key contractors has significantly contributed to the challenges,” Mr. Gutierrez told a House panel.
“It’s disappointing we have to make this decision,” he said.
Government workers will visit the nation’s neighborhoods to tally the nation’s population and compile its statistical information because nearly one-third of the nation’s population is not expected to respond to the initial survey by mail.
The Census Bureau spent more than $600 million to purchase a half-million hand-held computers, which still can be used to verify addresses for congressional redistricting.
Harris Corp. issued a statement saying it is “encouraged that automation and the adoption of new technology is moving forward, even if in a more narrowly focused fashion.”
An additional 600,000 workers will be needed for the door-to-door canvassing, and a dress rehearsal last year exposed “potential hazards and risks,” Mr. Gutierrez said. “We were getting alarm bells,” he said.
Mr. Gutierrez said “the situation today is unacceptable” and that the federal agency has been “taking steps to address the issues.”
However, an additional $3 billion will be needed, pushing the cost to $14 billion for the decennial count.
“It’s not what you like to hear; it’s not what we like to present,” Mr. Gutierrez said. “No one is happy with these numbers.”
“We are determined to do this in a way that serves the American people,” he said.
The revelation was greeted coolly by members of the House Appropriations subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies.
Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, West Virginia Democrat and subcommittee chairman, said the nation’s attempt at a high-tech count had been “grossly mismanaged,” and he criticized Commerce officials for creating a “crisis.”
“You have waited until the last possible moment to bring this emergency to the committee’s attention,” Mr. Mollohan said.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, New Jersey Republican and ranking subcommittee member, called it a “fiscal disaster.”
“You’ve inherited … a mess,” Mr. Frelinghuysen told Steven Murdock, who recently was confirmed by the Senate as census director. “Good luck to you.”
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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