LIMA Small Field Tests Plan

Listing and Mapping Application Small Field Tests

0607-0971, Individual Request for Clearance

March 2014

Under the Generic Clearance for 2020 Census Field Test to Automate Field Data Collection Activities (OMB Control Number 0607-0971), the U.S. Census Bureau plans to perform tests of functionality in the Listing and Mapping Application (LiMA) using mobile computing devices. The U.S. Census Bureau is submitting this Individual Request for Clearance (IRC) to OMB for its review and approval to conduct tests of the address listing tasks and quality control functions as described in the supporting statements for this generic clearance that OMB approved on October 31, 2012.

Background on the LiMA Small Field Tests

The LiMA is being developed using an Agile methodology, which means small pieces of functionality are developed during a relatively short period of time called a sprint. The LiMA sprints are two weeks in length, which means new functionality is available every two weeks. Because the LiMA is being developed using an Agile methodology, procedures for data collection during each test may vary depending on the functionality that is available for testing at the time of each small field test. LiMA requirements are prioritized on a monthly basis, which means priorities for development can change on a monthly basis. Based on our current backlog of requirements, we anticipate the goal of each small field test to be as identified in the table below. Please note the goal of each small field test may change depending on the prioritization of requirements at the monthly prioritization sessions.

Small Field Test Number	Objectives
Small Field Test #1	Basic listing functionality
Small Field Test #2	Basic listing functionality Test interfaces between systems
Small Field Test #3	Basic listing functionality Group Quarters (GQ) Time of Interview functionality/Mobile Case Management Quality Control

*If results of any of the small field tests suggest a need for revision to the objectives of other tests, a revision to this IRC will be submitted.

Procedures for Data Collection

The primary purpose of the LiMA small field tests is to use the application in the field while it is under development to identify potential issues early, missing requirements, and necessary modifications to ensure a solid application is released to the field for production.

Initial field testing will include ad hoc testing while listing the block “ground to list,” which is the current listing procedure. Staff will collect address and location data without initiating contact with the public. Data collected include: house numbers, street names, apartment/unit numbers, ZIP Codes, location/physical descriptions, subdivision name, building name/building ID, GQ Category and Type, GQ name, facility name, and mapspots (both the manual or relative location where the lister believes the unit is on the ground and the GPS mapspot or the GPS coordinates of the unit or the location the lister was standing when the unit was mapspotted.) Additional data collected includes address status (housing unit, uninhabitable, Group Quarters, Does Not Exist, etc) and structure type (single family home, multi-unit structure, boat, etc.). Staff may also collect mailing addresses.

Current employees of the U.S. Census Bureau (from Headquarters and the six regional offices) as well as contractors working on the development of the LiMA will participate in the LiMA small field tests. It is anticipated that staff will go out in small groups. All data collected is in strict confidence according to provisions of Title 13 of the United States Code, Section 9.

We will use mobile computing devices loaded with the LiMA application for the small field tests. All testers will display their U.S. Census Bureau credential while conducting the test. Testers will not initiate contact with the public to collect data for these tests. Contact may be initiated in future small tests, if necessary. The primary areas selected for these tests will be in Fairfax County, Virginia. Other test areas may include an area with a concentrated number of Group Quarters and an area considered to be more “rural.” All test areas selected will be in the Maryland, Virginia, or District of Columbia tri-state area. Each small field test will have 49 blocks in sample containing approximately 1,685 housing units.

Estimate of Burden Hours

Although procedures for the small field tests dictate that no contact will be initiated with respondents, we will account for any incidental contact in this section for which we cannot control. For any incidental contact, each contact with a respondent should last no longer than two minutes. Estimating there may be approximately one hundred incidental contacts over the course of all small field tests, we estimate respondent burden to be about 200 minutes, or three hours and twenty minutes.

Project Schedule

Small Field Test	Start Date*	Finish Date*
Small Field Test #1	May 13, 2014	June 10, 2014
Small Field Test #2	July 8, 2014	August 5, 2014
Small Field Test #3	September 2, 2014	September 30, 2014

*Note: Tests will be conducted for a two week period, not beginning earlier than the start date or ending later than the finish date represented in the table above. There may be a need to conduct additional tests not in the schedule above. Any additional tests will be completed by the end of the fiscal year 2014.

Cost to the Federal Government

Costs to the federal government will include the following:

• Approximately $7,000 for mileage costs to be reimbursed to Headquarters staff traveling to and within the testing site.

• Approximately $60,000 for training, travel, and field work costs for the Field Representatives that will be brought into Headquarters for Small Field Tests 1, 2, and 3.

Contacts for Data Collection

For questions on the design or implementation of the small field tests described in this document, please contact Kimberly Canada at 301-763-3265 or [email protected] or Marisa Pedro at 301-763-2914 or [email protected].