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E-Government Act Report — FY 2009

Executive Summary

The Department of Labor (DOL) has actively taken steps to implement the President's direction on government transparency, collaboration, participation and openness.  To develop and implement the Department's short and long term open government initiatives, an open government work group was established to initiate and facilitate various projects that support the principles of open government.  Some of our initial major open government activities are highlighted in this report.  Moving forward, the Department will continue to look towards innovative approaches to promote greater transparency in all aspects of its operations and increase public participation and collaboration in policy development.

The Department of Labor continues to progress in the areas of citizen engagement and innovation, and is an active participant and contributor to Data.gov and the Federal IT Investment Dashboard.   DOL has published 36 datasets to Data.gov, regularly updates the status of its IT investments, and established Face-book, YouTube, and Twitter presences to engage citizens.  Details of these efforts are discussed in this report.     

The Department of Labor also continues to mature its information and IT management practices.  The Department of Labor has implemented IT Dashboard reporting, improved Enterprise Architecture and the Capital Planning integration, and matured the segment architecture processes.  Details of these efforts are discussed in section two of this report.     

The Department of Labor has chosen to highlight Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF) investment for this year's E-Government Act of 2002 Report.  The IDCF is a mission critical system that supports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.  IDCF provides BLS, and the federal government, significant benefits including faster survey turn around times, improved data quality, and lower costs for administering the survey.  The results of this initiative are discussed in more detail in section 3. 

Also, as noted in this report, the Department has initiated planning efforts to optimize data centers within DOL and to incorporate this planning with other major government initiatives, such as the Trusted Internet Connection program and future cloud computing services.

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Section 1: Transparency, Engagement, and Innovation

Major transparency initiatives undertaken in the past year and major transparency initiatives planned for the coming year

The Department of Labor has undertaken several innovative approaches to promote greater transparency in all aspects of its operations and to increase public participation and collaboration in policy development.  Examples of these initiatives include:

Improve public participation in DOL rulemaking.  A new Web page has been developed that provides the public with a central point on DOL's Web site where they can learn more about the regulatory process in general, specific DOL regulatory activities and where they can have easier access to DOL regulatory material.  This new Web site was unveiled with the release of the Fall 2009 Regulatory Plan and Agenda as a live public event where the Secretary of Labor conducted a Web chat, which consisted of a 2 hour session during which she answered questions about DOL's regulatory agenda that were submitted online from the public.  This public event also included video testimonials from stakeholders for key priority regulations.  The Web site will be updated periodically.  The initial update will provide DOL stakeholders with information, using social media technologies, on the rulemaking process.  This will include information how to get involved in the rulemaking process and guidance on how to provide effective comments.  The site will also provide electronic subscription services to notify the public of news and events on DOL regulations.

Document Disclosure Library.  DOL is developing a searchable database that will be a repository for all of DOL's research and evaluation outcomes or products. The system will also provide an electronic subscription service that notifies the public of newly added or recently completed studies.  For the first time the public will have complete access to DOL's research and evaluation agenda, outcomes and products.  This action will build confidence with policymakers and academicians that DOL understands the importance of building its research and evaluation capacities.  This action will also allow the public to determine if DOL is appropriately reviewing and assessing the issues that have the greatest potential impact on policy and program development and implementation.

Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge.  DOL recently invited the workforce development system to participate in the Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge.  The Challenge utilizes crowdsourcing to allow jobseekers and workforce development professionals to provide their recommendations and comments on job search and career advancement tools.  This effort seeks to identify useful job-related online tools that can be made available through the national network of One Stop Career Centers.

Keeping America's Workers Out of Harm's Way.  For the first time, the Department of Labor is systematically publishing employer-specific information about occupational fatalities online.  Employers with reported fatalities will have an incentive to take proactive steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. In addition, responsible employers will be able to utilize the database to identify dangerous conditions and take precautions.

Searchable Enforcement Database. One of DOL's major open government initiatives will be to post on the Internet all of the Department's enforcement and compliance data, which are legally permissible to share with the public. The goal is to develop a searchable database that allows the public to search for DOL enforcement and compliance activity across all DOL agencies.  The first phase of this project will be made available to the public in the second quarter of FY2010.

Innovation to share with the public and the federal workforce on the Innovations Gallery

The Department of Labor currently does not have an innovation to share with the public or federal workforce, but will continue to look to possible ideas to post on the Innovations Gallery.

Department of Labor datasets on data.gov

The Department of Labor has posted 36 datasets and 1 tool on data.gov.

Progress in complying with OMB requirements to post all spending data on usaspending.gov

DOL has been in full compliance with the reporting requirement to post all spending data on usaspending.gov. DOL has established reporting procedures to ensure that all required data is submitted. See: http://www.usaspending.gov/fpds/fpds.php?datype=T&detail=-1&database=fpds&fiscal_year=2009&maj_agency_cat=16

Tools DOL is using to advance citizen participation and engagement

The Department of Labor has advanced citizen participation and engagement with the use of social media tools, to include the following:

Facebook:  DOL has two Facebook pages, one for the Department and one for the Secretary of Labor. We use the Facebook pages to promote awareness of DOL activities and initiatives and to answer simple questions posed from other Facebook users or to direct those users to existing resources for assistance.

Twitter:  DOL has four Twitter accounts, one for the Department and one for the Secretary and Spanish versions of each. This communication channel is used to notify followers about all DOL national news releases, to provide information about DOL events and initiatives, and to interact with our users in an informal way. By tracking the mentions of DOL on Twitter, we have been able to measure response to activities we are promoting and we can use that information to revise or clarify the message we are communicating.

Webcasting and YouTube:  In FY 2009, the Department created the internal ability to provide live webcasts of DOL events. Since starting this in April, we have webcast events for Earth Day, messages about the proposed DOL budget, an Asian Pacific Heritage Month discussion with Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono, a roundtable discussion on international child labor, a panel discussion about migrant farm worker children, a panel discussion on people with disabilities in the arts, and our annual salute to veterans. Previously, these events would have been open only to DOL headquarters personnel, but now are available to the world, both live and in replays. Many of the videos are also published to YouTube, ensuring they reach an additional audience that might not normally visit a DOL Web site

Reporting requirements of M-09-19

DOL is meeting the reporting requirements of M-09-19.  Recently DOL upgraded reporting including ETA's Unemployment Trust Fund data in the report to FFATA. This upgrade to the report included public visibility of over fifteen thousand actions totaling $35 billion including $24 billion in Recovery Act funds.

See: http://www.usaspending.gov/faads/faads.php?busn_indctr=&fiscal_year=2009&sortby=r&maj_agency_cat=16&record_num=f500&detail=-1&datype=T&reptype=r&database=faads)

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Section 2:  Information and Information Technology Management

How has the IT Dashboard impacted the investment management process at your agency?

At the present time, DOL uses its existing processes such as Performance Budget Issue Paper reviews, agency portfolio presentations to the Technical Review Board, IT investment quarterly program control reviews, OMB provided metrics, and where appropriate, monthly earned value management reports to make decisions about its IT portfolio.  The results of this information are provided to program managers, senior IT executives in the agency, the Technical Review Board, the Capital Planning Subcommittee, investments managers, and when appropriate DOL agency heads.  DOL has incorporated this information into the CIO evaluation of the IT Dashboard ratings.  The IT Dashboard ratings and metrics are incorporated into our investment management process.  The IT Dashboard provides us with a vehicle to show the status of our IT investments to the public in a transparent manner.

Describe your agency's efforts in complying with reporting requirements for the IT Dashboard.

DOL's IT capital planning and governance processes have been adjusted to meet the monthly update requirements of the IT Dashboard.  Every month, DOL provides OMB with an updated CIO evaluation and updated cost and schedule milestones for each of its major investments.

Describe the process your agency is using to apply CIO Evaluations for your major IT investments.

Information from DOL's quarterly Program Control Review process is primarily used to develop CIO evaluations.  In addition, current real time risks and a judgment on the probability that the investment will deliver on its performance objectives and goals are also factored into the CIO evaluations.

DOL's Information Resources Management (IRM) Strategic Plan and Enterprise Architecture Transition Plan

DOL's Information Resources Management Plan, FY 2005-2009, is published at the following link:  http://www.dol.gov/cio/programs/ITStrategicPlan2006/IT-Strategic-Plan.htm

DOL's Enterprise Architecture Transition Plan is published at the following link:

http://www.dol.gov/cio/programs/DOL-Transition-Strategy-Plan.pdf

Outline the progress of integrating the Enterprise Architecture and the Capital Planning and Investment Control processes and policies.

Department of Labor has made significant progress towards integrating Enterprise Architecture and CPIC processes and policies.  DOL continues to refine its IT Investment Management Framework (IMF).  This framework helps the Department and its Agencies manage investments through the integration of several different functional areas.  The main components of the IMF are Capital Planning and Investment Control, the Software Development Lifecycle, Security Compliance, Enterprise Architecture, and other functional areas within the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).  The IMF provides polices and procedures to ensure proper integration of EA and CPIC.  As part of the IMF process, DOL also has standing, cross functional governance committees that include CPIC and EA.  Furthermore, the CPIC process includes EA as part of the control view process.      

The Department's Investment Management Framework identifies the lifecycle phases and maps them to corresponding IT Capital Planning, Security, and Enterprise Architecture phases, thereby ensuring a comprehensive, integrated approach to investment management. Process reviews by Agency, OCIO, and the Technical Review Board (TRB) are conducted and recommendations / approvals are given addressing risk, complexity, cost and budget coverage.  The products of these components, and more importantly, the integration of them, help facilitate investment success.

In addition, DOL has three standing governance sub-committees. The committees are IT Architecture, Capital Planning, and Enterprise Architecture.   These committees are integrated, cross functional teams that include representation from OCIO EA, CIPC, Security, as well as staff from the various agencies.  This structure promotes increased communication and collaboration between EA and CPIC functions as well as between the department and the numerous agencies.   These committees report directly to the TRB. 

Through this integrated IT Investment Management Framework and our cross functional committee structure, enterprise architecture insights and knowledge is incorporated in Capital planning decisions. 

Provide the status and maturity of your modernization roadmap (segment architecture) activity including use by major programs and alignment on shared target architectures.

Department of Labor has a mature segment architecture roadmap and has identified 68 different segments across the enterprise covering different business, enterprise, and core mission areas.  Approximately 25% of the segments of completed.  All major programs align to segment architectures through the Department of Labor Enterprise Architecture Management System (DEAMS).  In addition, all segment architectures include a segment transition or modernization plan.  The Seven Enterprise Service Segments represent shared targets for use by the entire enterprise.     


Figure 1: DOL Segment by Classification

Figure 1: DOL Segment by Classification

Figure 2: Status of DOL Segments

Figure 2: Status of DOL Segments

Final determinations, priorities, and schedules used to improve the dissemination of and access to DOL's information to the public.

In accordance with Section 207(f)(2) of the E-Government Act of 2002, DOL posts its Web content publication schedule at the following link: http://www.dol.gov/dol/aboutdol/content.htm. Additional publication resources are listed under the "Research, Reports & Publications" at http://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/readroom.htm.

DOL's FOIA handbook, the link to DOL's primary FOIA Web site, and the Web site link where frequent requests for records are made available to the public.

FOIA Handbook:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/guide6.htm

Primary FOIA Web site:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/

Frequently requested records:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/

DOL's efforts to comply with Section 508 in regards to information management

The Department of Labor maintains an internal policy as part of it comprehensive Manual Series titled, IT Accessibility Management (Department of Labor Manual Series, Chapter 9 — 600). This chapter establishes policies and procedures within DOL to implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d). This policy is applicable to all DOL electronic and information technology, including information contained on DOL external and internal Web sites. This policy also applies to office equipment such as computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, and other electronic resources such as software applications and telephones.

Implementation of this policy includes that DOL require all procurement vehicles to include requirements addressing Section 508 compliance, IT systems are tested to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies, and all forms and other materials posted on DOL's Web pages are reviewed to ensure that they are Section 508-compliant. In addition, DOL has also established within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management/Civil Rights Center, an office that tests IT applications for Section 508 compliance. Further, DOL has designated a staff position for the role of Departmental Section 508 Coordinator who provides an internal advocacy for Section 508, provides enterprise level management of DOL's Section 508 program, and provides an internal oversight for issues pertaining to Section 508 compliance.

DOL's public Web sites. that disseminate research and development (R&D) information to the public

ETA and OSHA publish Research & Development grants on their Web sites.

ETA's Web site, http://www.doleta.gov/, provides information on Community-Based Job Training Grants. These grants are employer-focused and support the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, a national model for demand-driven workforce development implemented by strategic partnerships between the workforce investment system, employers, and community colleges and other training providers. The Web site includes information about previous grant solicitations, a searchable database of current grantees, fact sheets, solicitation information, and previous speeches from President Bush discussing the grants initiative.

OSHA's Web site, http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/ote/sharwood.html, provides information about the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program which is designed to provide training and education programs for employers and employees on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces. The Web site includes information on the solicitation / application process, previous grant recipients, as well as information produced by past grant recipients.

DOL's inventory of formal agency agreements with external entities that complement our information dissemination programs

Initiating Agency

MOU Partner

Description

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

George Mason University

Co-Sponsorship of Federal Enterprise Risk Management Summit held October 28, 2008 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. 

Office of Disability Employment Policy

UCLA Anderson School of Management Office of Executive Education Programs

Form an alliance to provide Executive Education Programs (EEP) participates with information, guidance, and access to resources that will help advance employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

Employee Benefits Security Administration

American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries

Co-sponsorship of an educational conference held April 29-30, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

U.S. Department of Army, Warrior in Transition Program

The Warrior in Transition Program is a voluntary program of the DoD designed to meet the interests of the service member by partnering with federal agencies to receive career training in support of his/her recovery.

Employee Benefits Security Administration

American Institute of Public Certified Public Accountants

Co-sponsorship of Web site to aid retirement planning by approximately 1,200 small business owners for employees.  Effective through March 1, 2011.

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

U.S. Department of State, Office of the U.S. Global Aids Coordinator

To support efforts to meet the HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment goals set for in the U.S. Leadership Act and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Provide funding to increase and support existing employment initiatives that ensure that individuals with disabilities who want to obtain, maintain and advance in jobs do so with the same access to the employment process and supports available to all workers.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Graduate School

Co-sponsorship of "Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference" December, 2009.  This is an OPM-recognized government-wide training event for federal managers and specialists who have job duties related to the employment of people with disabilities in the federal government.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

U.S. Department of Transportation

To collaborate in developing seamless, comprehensive, and accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities seeking or maintaining employment.

Employment and Training Administration

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Mass Layoff Statistics Program is a federal-state cooperative statistical effort which uses a standardized, automated approach to identify, describe, and track the effects of major job cutbacks, using data from each State's unemployment insurance (UI) database. 


DOL's inventory of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)-approved records schedules

DOL has a total of 130 approved records schedules covering the retention and disposition of DOL agency records.  In FY 2009, in accordance with Section 207(e) of the E Government Act of 2002 [44 U.S.C. 3601] and NARA Bulletins 2008 03, Scheduling Existing Electronic Records, and 2006 02, NARA Guidance for Implementing Section 207(e) of the E Government Act of 2002, DOL submitted record schedules for eighteen (18) electronic systems, databases and applications to NARA for review, appraisal, and approval.  Of the 117 systems, databases, and applications inventoried, ninety-five (95) of the electronic systems and applications were identified as covered by an existing NARA approved records schedule.  DOL is currently awaiting NARA approval of seven (7) records schedules covering electronic systems, databases and applications submitted in previous fiscal years.  Using DOL Exhibit 300s for FY 2010 budget year and data collected through DOL records management community surveys, an inventory of twenty-eight (28) unscheduled electronic systems, databases and applications have been identified.  Records schedules will be submitted to NARA for these e-systems in accordance with the Section 207(e) of the E-Government Act of 2002.  DOL has one component agency, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), currently participating in NARA's Electronic Records Archives (ERA) system pilot.  Another component agency, Women's' Bureau (WB), will be participating in NARA's ERA second phase Pilot in FY 2010.  Below is the table of all DOL records schedules approved by NARA:

DOL Agency

Job #

Schedule Description

ASP

N1-174-01-1

OSEC — OASP — Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey

ASP

N1-174-86-1

Asst. Sec. For Policy, Evaluation and Research, Arizona Employment and Unemployment Dataset 1957-1972, and Pennsylvania Continuous Wage and Benefit History 1966-1970

ASP

N1-174-94-1

OASP — Regulatory Tracking System / Secretarial Goals & Objective Database

ASP

N1-174-95-2

Secretary of Labor's Chief Clerk Files, 1913-1933, and Secretary of Labor's Correspondence Index, 1934-1981; News Releases/ Secretary Releases/ Press Releases; Secretary Speeches/Addresses/Testimonies; Department of Labor Agency Administrative Histories; Transcripts; Photographs; Audio Tapes, etc.

BLS

N1-257-00-1

Division of Human Resources and Organization Management (DHROM)-Examining and Certification Records

BLS

N1-257-00-2

International Price Program (IPP) Records

BLS

N1-257-01-1

Office of Employment Projections-Occupational Outlook Technical Memoranda Record Copy Files

BLS

N1-257-03-1

Office of Safety, Health, and Working Conditions-Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) Special One-Time Surveys

BLS

N1-257-06-1

Chartbooks and Speeches

BLS

N1-257-06-2

DAS Small Administrative Electronic Systems

BLS

N1-257-86-3

Office of Wage and Industrial Relations

BLS

N1-257-87-1

Office of Survey Processing

BLS

N1-257-88-1

Offices of the Commissioner, Field Operations, Productivity and Technology, Survey Processing, Administration, Technology and Operations Review, Publications, Research and Evaluation

BLS

N1-257-88-2

Office of Wages and Industrial Relations-Basic Steel Industry Materials

BLS

N1-257-88-3

Office of Productivity and Tech.-Technical Aid Participant Personnel Files

BLS

N1-257-88-4

Office of Wages and Industrial Relations-Strike Index Card Files; Union Wage Agreement Files

BLS

N1-257-88-5

Office of Commissioner-Central Correspondence File of the Commissioner's Office; Record Sets of BLS Issuances and Publications; Miscellaneous Historical Studies, etc.

BLS

N1-257-88-6

Office of Producer Prices and Price Index-Wholesale Price Index Cell Folders 1948-1967; Wholesale Price Index Transfer Posting Cards 1960-1970; Miscellaneous Printouts From the WIT Program 1970-1975

BLS

N1-257-88-7

Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics-Printouts of BLS Program and Other Employment Statistics Programs, etc.

BLS

N1-257-89-1

Record of the Consumer Expenditure Survey Program and Predecessor Programs 1928-1971

BLS

N1-257-89-2

Office of Productivity and Tech.-Longshore Study 1963-1966; New Jersey Engineers Operating Study 1966

BLS

N1-257-89-3

Office of Survey Processing-Miscellaneous Records of the Office of Survey Processing and Predecessor Organizations

BLS

N1-257-90-1

Office of Productivity and Tech.-Multi-Family Housing Construction Labor Requirements 1971-1972

BLS

N1-257-90-3

Division of Administrative Services-Bureau of Labor Statistics 1934-1972

BLS

N1-257-91-3

Office of Compensation and Working Conditions-Division of Occupational and Working Levels-PATC WCCS Test Project 1

BLS

N1-257-92-2

Office of Prices and Living Conditions-Consumer Price Index

BLS

N1-257-93-1

Directorate of Technology and Computing Services-Division of System Design

BLS

N1-257-93-2

Office of Publications and Special Studies-Survey of Employer Provided Training Program

BLS

N1-257-93-3

Office of Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Program Records

BLS

N1-257-94-1

Office of Wages and Industrial Wages-Collective Bargaining Agreements and Union Wage Agreements

BLS

N1-257-98-1

Office of Employment and Unemployment Services-Time Use Diary Survey Records 2/87-8/97

BLS

N1-257-99-1

Office of Safety, Health, and Working Conditions-Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

BLS

NC1-257-84-1

Division of National Wage and Salary Income

BLS

NC1-257-85-2

Office of Wage and Industrial Relations — Basic Steel Industry Materials

BLS

NC-257-88-1

Records Pertaining to the Office of the Commissioner, Field Operations, Productivity and Technology, Survey Processing, Administration, Technology and Operations Review, Publications and Research and Evaluation

BLS

N1-257-09-2

BLS Survey Methods Records

BRB

N1-174-08-1

Benefits Review Board Records

EBSA

N1-317-02-1

Comprehensive Records Schedule

EBSA (PWBA)

N1-317-01-1

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Filing Acceptance System (EFAST)

EBSA (PWBA)

N1-317-02-2

Advisory Opinion Letters and Significant Information Letters (SILs); Technical Assistance Case Files, etc.

EBSA (PWBA)

N1-317-93-1

Exemption Petition File (OED)

EBSA (PWBA)

N9-317-00-1

Advisory Council Committee records established under OPWBP Administrators 1968-1984; Records 1986 and forward-Assistant and Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Pension and Welfare Benefits

ESA

N1-317-02-03

OLMS Division of Statutory Program Records.

ESA

N1-155-90-1

Wage and Hour Division - Service Contracts Act of 1965; Davis-Bacon and Related Acts

ESA

N1-155-90-2

The Wage and Hour Management Information System (WHMIS)

ESA

N1-155-91-1

Wage and Hour and Public Contracts Division-Unscheduled Records assigned to RG 155

ESA

N1-155-96-1

Wage and Hour Division - General Correspondence Files

ESA

N9-155-00-01

Wage and Hour Division -E-mail and Word Processing Records

ESA

NC1-155-84-1

Public Contract Minimum Wage Determination Hearing Records; Fair Labor Standards Act Hearing Records

ESA

NN-168-43

Wage and Hour and Public Contracts Division-Investigation Case Files not selected for Retention at the National Archives

ESA

N1-271-00-1

Office of Worker's Compensation Programs-Compensation Case Files Reporting Lost Time and/or Death; OWCP Automated System for Imaging Services (OASIS)

ESA

N1-271-02-01

Office of Workers Comp. Programs-Administrative Subject File; Program Subject File; Claimants' Correspondence; Publications, etc.

ESA

N1-271-95-1

Office of Worker's Compensation Programs-Division of Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation

ESA

N1-271-95-1

Office of Worker's Compensation Programs-Division of Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation

ESA

N9-271-00-01

OWCP Directives; Legislative and Legal Subject Files; Program Subject File; Claimant's Correspondence, etc.

ESA

N1-317-89-1

OLMS — International Labor — Management Reports Files

ESA

N1-317-95-1

OLMS-Labor Organization Special Reports

ESA

N1-317-99-1

Labor Organization Reports

ESA

N9-317-00-4

OLMS — e-mail and Word Processing Records in the Field and National Office

ESA

N1-448-00-1

Asst. Secy. for ESA - Correspondence, Congressional Hearings, Meetings, etc

ESA

N1-448-01-2

E-mail and Word Processing Records

ESA

N1-448-01-3

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

ESA

N1-448-01-4

Office of the Assistant Secretary — Office of the American Workplace

ESA

N1-448-02-01

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards-Appointment Books

ESA

N1-448-03-1

Office of Management, Administration and Planning-Executive Correspondence, OMAP Notices, etc.

ETA

NN-174-002

History of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training

ETA

N1-183-03-1

Bureau of Employment Security-Record Group 183

ETA

N1-369-00-1

JTPA Grant Records Disposition Schedule

ETA

N1-369-04-1

ETA Publications

ETA

N1-369-06-1

Office of Apprenticeship-National Guideline Standards Case Files; Bulletins and Circulars, etc.

ETA

N1-369-94-1

Unemployment Insurance Required Reports (UIRR); UIRR Documentation

ETA

N1-369-94-3

Unemployment Insurance Service-Unemployment Compensation

ETA

N1-369-96-1

Alien Employment Certification Files

ETA

N1-369-97-1

General Correspondence of the Assistant and Deputy Assistant Secy for ETA

ETA

N1-369-99-1

Office of Work Base Learning — Office of Trade Adjustment and Assistant

ETA

NC-369-76-1

Manpower Administration-Records Common to Most Offices; Non-Record Material; Reading or Chronological Files, etc.

ETA

NC-369-76-2

Regional Manpower Administration-Office Administrative Files; Non-Record Material; Reading or Chronological Files, etc.

ETA (NSSB)

N1-220-04-09

National Skills Standards Board

ILAB

N1-174-02-04

Program Records created by The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Dep. Undersecretary; Office of Foreign Relations; Office of International Economic Affairs; Office of International Organizations; Office of International Child Labor Program; National Administrative Office

ILAB

N1-174-87-2

Office of International Economic Affairs-Division of Foreign Economic Research, etc.

ILAB

NC1-174-82-1

Office of Management, Administration and Planning-Office of Foreign Economic Research; Less Developed Countries, etc

MSHA

N1-433-00-1

Program Evaluation and Information Resources

MSHA

N1-433-94-1

Coal and Mental/Nonmetal Safety and Health Special Investigations

MSHA

N1-433-94-2

Systems of Records covered by the Privacy Act

MSHA

N1-433-98-1

Coal Mine Safety and Health Records

MSHA

NC1-433-01-1

System of Records by Privacy Act

MSHA

NC1-433-81-1

Denver Safety and Health Technology Center

MSHA

NC1-433-85-1

Records Management Branch

OALJ

N1-174-00-4

Office of the Secretary — Office of the Administrative Law Judges-Administrative Procedures Act; Case Files

OASAM

N1-174-93-2

OASAM — DOL Directive System (DDS) Files

OASAM

N1-174-96-4

OASAM — Immediate Office-Correspondence Chron Files; Assistant Secretary Briefing Books; Miscellaneous OASAM Publications Unrelated to Specific DOL Program Activities

OASAM

N9-174-00-2

OASAM — DOL Directive System (DDS) Files

OASAM

NC1-174-76-3

Directorate of Audit and Investigations-Audit Workpaper Files; Audit Report Fields; Investigative Files

OASAM

NC-174-76-1

OASAM — Records Common to Most Agencies in DOL; Non-Record Material, etc.

OASAM

NC-174-76-2

Directorate of Data Automation-DOL 4 year ADP Plan

OASP

N1-174-06-1

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP) Records

OIG

N1-174-00-1

Office of Investigations-OIG Investigative Case Files

OIG

N1-174-00-2

Analysis, Complaint and Evaluation (ACE) Files

OIG

N1-174-99-1

OIG Audit Files-Audit Files, Audit Information Reporting System (AIRS)

OIG

N9-174-99-2

Labor Racketeering Investigation Case Files

OIG

N9-174-99-3

Semiannual Report to Congress

OLMS

N1-317-09-1

OLMS Collective Bargaining Agreements

OPA

N1-174-96-6

News Releases; OPA Publications, etc.

OPA

N9-174-99-1

Office of Public Affairs News Releases-National and Regional News Releases, OPA Publications, etc.

OSEC

N1-174-03-01

Office of Small Business Programs Publications; Speeches, Addresses, Comments, etc.

OSEC

N1-174-93-3

OSEC — Exec. Sec. / Immediate Office of the Secy.

OSEC

N1-174-94-3

OSEC — Exec. Sec. / Immediate Office of the Secy.-General Correspondence; Identical/Similar Documents, etc.

OSEC

N1-174-95-1

DOL Briefing Books

OSEC

N9-174-99-1

Office of Public Affairs News Releases-National and Regional News Releases, OPA Publications, etc.

OSEC

NC1-174-83-2

Office of the Under Secretary- Benefits Review Board-Official Docket Case Files; Docket Sheets; General and Miscellaneous Files of the Board

OSEC/ARB

N1-174-06-2

ARB General Adjudicative Files, Judges Working Files and Chron File Binders

OSEC/ECAB

N9-386-00-1

Official Docket Files with Original Docket Sheet; General Administrative Files; Digest and Decisions of the Employee's Compensation Appeals Board; Annual Reports 1916-1941

OSEC/OPA

NC1-174-82-3

Office of Information, Publication and Reports-Official Files of Richard Conn

OSHA

NC-100-76-1

Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health

OSHA

N1-100-08-1

OSHA Federal Safety and Health Councils Records

SOL

N1-174-02-2

Comprehensive Records Schedule

SOL

N1-174-96-5

Chronological Reading Files

SOL

NC1-174-81-2

Division of Fair Labor Standards, General Legal Service Employment and Training Legal Services, etc.

SOL

NC1-174-83-3

Records of Former Solicitors; Chronological Files of the Solicitor 1968-1980; Subject Files of the Solicitor of Labor 1969-1975

SOL

NN-174-045

Division of Manpower- Congressional Correspondence; Administration; Freedom of Information Act, etc.

SOL

NN-174-086

Division of Employees' Benefits-Benefit and Workmen's Compensation Claims

SOL

NN-174-087

Division of Labor - Management Laws-Budget, Litigation Case Files, Opinions, etc.

SOL

NN-174-088

Division of Legislation and Legal Counsel-Hearings, Legislation Reports, Private Relief Bills, etc.

SOL

NN-174-089

Division Occupational Safety & Health-Budget, Freedom of Information Act, Litigations, etc.

SOL

NN-174-090

Division of Fair Labor Standards-Interpretations and Opinions, Litigations, Reports, etc.

SOL

NN-174-091

Counsel for International Affairs-Foreign Labor Agreements, Correspondence, Press Releases, etc.

SOL

NN-174-092

Counsel for Construction Wage Standards-Opinion and Interpretation Files, Litigation Case Files, etc.

SOL

NN-174-093

Division of General Legal Service-Counsel for Enforcement and Regulations-copies of weekly significant activities reports; Freedom of Information Act, etc.

SOL

NN-174-094

Division of Labor Relations and Civil Rights-Case Files

SOL

NNA-1730

Central Office

VETS

N1-174-90-2

Federal Contractor Annual Report

WB

N1-86-90-1

Women's Bureau — Working Bureau Publications; Speeches, Addresses, Comments; Posters; Informational Releases; Women's Bureau Annual Reports; Organization and Directive Files

WB

N1-86-95-1

Working Women Survey

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Section 3:  Implementation of E-Government Initiatives

Describe the initiative, the methodology for identification of the initiative, and how the initiative is transforming agency operations.

Title:

 Improved data collection through the IDCF

Agency:

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Agency Profile:

A description of your agency

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

IT Investment (s) Name:

BLS — Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF)

Segment Name:

Statistical Mission Support

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.  The quality of data BLS produces is highly dependent on the number of voluntary respondents that supply information and the data they provide. As such, BLS continually analyzes its processes and identifies ways to encourage respondents to provide data by reducing respondent burden. BLS also looks for methods to increase the quality of data provided by its respondents.

The Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF) is a data collection option offered by multiple BLS surveys.  The IDCF provides benefits to both respondents and BLS that are not offered by other data collection options.  It allows respondents to record their responses on the Internet, leading to potentially increased data quality due to online editing and users' ability to provide comments and correct data after initial submission.  Because the collected information is loaded directly to a database, the IDCF also offers the potential of decreased turnaround time for some surveys.  The resulting electronic format is more immediately available to be extracted, transformed, and loaded for aggregation and estimation.  Other means of collection, such as mail and fax, consume more time and require key entry (and sometimes double key entry) into a data processing system.  Finally, the IDCF decreases the number of times BLS employees need to contact Web reporters, thereby reducing respondent burden.  BLS believes that reducing respondent burden could result in an increase in overall response rates, leading to better quality data.  

The BLS approach to Internet data collection is to provide a consolidated, manageable, and secure architecture with the following characteristics:

  • Common look and feel across surveys
  • Support for multi-survey respondents
  • Multiple levels of security
  • Secured system behind the BLS firewall
  • Monitoring and risk assessment of only one infrastructure

The Current Employment Statistics (CES) Survey, Multiple Worksite Report (MWR) Survey, Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Program, National Compensation Survey (NCS), the International Price Program (IPP), Producer Price Index (PPI), and the Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) Survey all have or will shortly have the capability to allow respondents to submit reports via the Internet through the IDCF.  As more BLS surveys use the facility and as more respondents embrace this method, the transaction cost is expected to decrease.  In addition to using the IDCF for survey data collection, the facility was found to be a perfect solution for providing external access to BLS online training for off-site researchers.

Quantify the cost savings and cost avoidance achieved through implementing the initiative (e.g., reducing or eliminating other investments in information technology).

All of the programs involved in the Web collection have observed numerous benefits, such as an increase in data quality due to automatic online editing, users' ability to provide comments to questioned data, and ability to correct data after initial submission. The programs also have noted an increase in response rates and a reduction in turnaround time for some surveys. The need to contact survey respondents to clarify reporting issues has decreased, thus lowering the overall respondent burden.

Overall the IDCF facility has shown survey respondent growth in every year of operation and has reduced operating costs from 105,145 transactions in 2004 at a cost of $5.84 per transaction to 974,250 transactions at a cost of $0.77 per transaction in 2008.

Explain how your agency maintains an ongoing dialogue with interested parties to find innovative ways to use information technology for the initiative.

BLS has established partnerships with many of its stakeholders and customers to explore innovative ways to improve the delivery of BLS statistical information and services through Information Technology (IT).  BLS is committed to ongoing dialogues with these groups and consequently, BLS continues to participate in meetings, annual conferences, Joint Policy Councils, and so forth.  For example:

  • BLS meets on a regular basis with its advisory committees, including the Business Research Advisory Council, the Labor Research Advisory Council, and the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee. 
  • BLS program-specific committees such as the National Longitudinal Survey Technical Review Committee support ongoing dialogue with federal statistical agencies (in this case, Census), academia and other interested groups.
  • BLS and its State partners in the areas of employment/unemployment statistical programs and safety and health statistical programs participate in annual conferences and serve on Joint Policy Councils. 

Feedback from data users via telephone and e-mail is also a source for identifying areas where there is need or opportunity for IT improvements.  Although these mechanisms provide feedback for a broad range of issues, IT is included.

BLS IT Strategic Plan reflects the commitment of BLS to have an ongoing dialogue with its stakeholders.  An implementation plan was shared with IT management for review and will be shared with BLS management in the near future.

Identify improved performance (e.g., outcome measures, quantifiable business impact) by tracking performance measures supporting agency objectives and strategic goals.

The BLS uses performance measures and results to improve customer service, transform agency operations, align program outcomes with BLS and Department goals, and comply with statutory mandates such as the E-Gov Act and the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA).  A significant BLS customer service goal and associated performance measure is to disseminate data to the public according to the announced schedule 100% of the time.  This goal allows the President and Congress, as well as the private and public sectors, to create, implement, and respond to policies that impact the Nation's economy. 

To assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the IDCF, performance measures were implemented using the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) Performance Reference Model (PRM).  The IDCF PRM provides performance metrics and targets for technology, processes, and business outcomes that enable a "line of sight" among them.  The IDCF line of sight illustrates incremental value creation from technology inputs into process outputs that create business and customer outcomes.  The IDCF PRM helps produce enhanced IT performance information to improve strategic and daily decision-making and improve alignment—and better articulate the contribution—of segment to business outputs and outcomes.

Since the announcement of the opening of the IDCF in 2001, there has been considerable interest in Internet data collection among the different BLS programs. Almost every survey has at least investigated the feasibility of collecting data using the IDCF Facility.  Programs that use the IDCF demonstrate a growing acceptance of Web collection among BLS respondents.  Some examples:

  • The OSHS program has seen the number of respondents in its annual survey rise from 10,517 establishments in 2002 (the first year) to 97,573 in 2007, representing approximately half of OSHS data collection.  OSHS has also has added fillable PDF forms as a data collection method, with data being processed from the PDF through the IDCF facility.
  • The IPP started Internet data collection in December 2003 and had converted approximately 62% of their sample respondents to online collection at the end of FY08.
  • The CES program initiated collection in early 2002. Since that time, the number of respondents has increased to nearly 14% of their sample and they continue converting touchtone data entry (TDE) respondents to IDCF. CES now considers IDCF a critical component of their collection efforts and is leading the push for IDCF to be a COOP facility in 2009.
  • The MWR survey started their IDCF collection with data for the first quarter of 2006, soliciting respondents in four states through a limited test pilot project. To date, the project has resulted in 30% of the solicited respondents converting from paper to Web collection. By the first quarter of 2009 MWR was up to 46 states participating in online collection representing 19,832 employers and 155,150 worksites.

Explain how this initiative ensures the availability of government information and services for those without access to the Internet and for those with disabilities.

BLS continues to utilize its Internet Data Collection Facility as a major means of obtaining information electronically and of helping to meet its goal of reducing paperwork burden by 1%. The IDCF is a key component in automating the Bureau's data collection efforts and, in doing so, reducing data respondents' burden by providing an automated tool that simplifies the reporting process of the Bureau's respondents, thereby supporting PRA and GPEA compliance efforts. 

Because responses to virtually all BLS surveys are voluntary, BLS has found it essential to provide respondents with a range of alternatives for providing data to BLS.  While the Web and e-mail options have grown dramatically as a means to disseminate information, the BLS continues to support customers who do not have or prefer not to use Internet access. BLS uses Multimode surveys that provide respondents with the capability to select the most suitable mode for their circumstances.  This self-selection lies at the core of burden reduction. 

BLS also provides printed press releases by mail and fax, and has published the phone numbers that data users can call for specific information about programs in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Customer Service Guide. 

Identify external partners (e.g., federal, state or local agencies, industry) who collaborate on the initiative.

The IDCF initiative collaborates with several external partners to collect data.  These include Labor Unions, public and private enterprises.  The initiative also interacts directly with citizens who complete survey information on an individual basis.   

Initiative

 Stakeholder Category

Stakeholder

Type

BLS — Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF)

Business — Labor Union

Respondents

External

Business — Other

Public & Private Establishments

External

Respondents

External

Citizen

Respondents

External

Government — Federal

IDCF

Internal

Labor Statistics (LABSTAT)

Internal

Office of the Commissioner

Internal

Explain how the project applies effective capital planning and investment control procedures.

The IDCF initiative follows the processes and procedures defined in the Department of Labor's IT Capital Planning Guide for Managing IT Projects.  This guide is the single-source document that identifies and defines the performance-base management methodologies that enable all levels of management to capture, evaluate and control the cost, schedule and technical performance of The U.S. Department of Labor's IT investments  The IDCF project complied with the requirements to ensure this investment was:

  • approved within the framework of the Department's management oversight structure
  • have visibility in the Department's annual budget process
  • are funded to the level necessary to satisfy the project's technical performance requirements

Describe the established business process your agency has in place for the continued ongoing process of identification of initiatives.

The Department of Labor uses an IT Investment Management Framework (IMF) to continually identify improvement initiatives.  The IMF establishes an integrated business process that includes Enterprise Architecture and Capital Planning and Investment Control functions.  One of the major roles of the Enterprise Architect function, working closing with CPIC, is to analyze Department's architecture for opportunities to reuse, consolidate, or improve business services.  The Enterprise Architecture Program Office is maturing this processing to leverage the Federal Segment Architecture Methodology (FASM).  The first steps of FASM establish processes and procedures for segment identification.  Once identified, a segment is analyzed for improvement opportunities and possible new initiatives.  Furthermore, Department of Labor employs a federated governance model where each agency has the ability to propose it's on improvement initiative.  The business case flows through the governance process and is examined for enterprise wide initiative.    

Quantify the cost savings and cost avoidance achieved through implementation of new IT programs.

By collecting data over the Internet, BLS is able to incorporate Internet-based data collection into a number of its establishment surveys. BLS benefits from the IDCF by:

  • Controlling certain costs
  • Improving response rates
  • Decreasing burden, or the perception of burden
  • Improving data quality
  • For surveys with multiple deadlines—reducing revisions between preliminary and final estimates

DOL's efforts to consolidate, or collaborate with other agencies, to reduce the number of federal data centers

During FY2009, DOL began planning and defined the effort as "Reducing the number of computer facilities with the department to an optimized High Availability state that is consistent with the US federal government direction on Cloud Computing." As part of that effort DOL has as planning goals:

  1. Host New Enterprise and Universal systems in the DOL Enterprise Cloud.
  2. Co-locate DOL Enterprise Cloud with the Internet Data Center for Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) and Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Service (MTIPS.)
  3. Consolidation of current DOL facilities into the DOL Enterprise Cloud
  4. Planning of the DOL Enterprise Cloud will coincide with TIC/MTIPS implementation.
  5. Reduce energy consumption / Green IT.

DOL's telework program, including plans to increase employees' ability to use Web 2.0 tools to work at-a-distance

The Department recognizes circumstances where it is mutually beneficial for employees to perform work at sites other than the traditional office or at locations other than where typical field or headquarters work is performed. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, accommodation of special needs, disabilities, energy or environmental conservation, savings in commuting costs, the need for an uninterrupted work environment, cost or space savings, or better geographic coverage for agency mission. Therefore, DOL allows employees and their supervisors to make telework arrangements for purposes of promoting the efficiency of the government and fostering a family friendly DOL. The formal telework program is an individualized structured program with a formal written agreement. The applicant's work has to be portable in some respect to be compatible with the program. Participation in the telework program has to maintain at least the same level of agency effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Telework must be voluntary and consistent with mission accomplishment and customer service.  While the telework program at DOL does not currently use Web 2.0 tools, we continually look for ways to improve the program and intend to incorporate any tools that increase employees' ability to participate in the program.