Total Funding for Bureau Planning Was Lower Than Requested

As shown in table 1, the Department of Commerce requested a total of  $268.7 million for 2000 Census planning and development in the President’s  Budgets for fiscal years 1991 through 1997. The program received total  funding of $223.7 million from the Congress, or about 83 percent of the  amount requested. Bureau records indicated that the bulk of $86 million of decennial funding  received through the end of fiscal year 1995 was obligated for program  development and evaluation methodologies, testing and dress rehearsals,  and planning for the acquisition of automated data processing and  telecommunications support. Funding and Other Factors Affected Planning Efforts

The U.S. Census Bureau was responsible for carrying out its mission within  the budget provided and bureau management determined the specific areas  in which available resources were invested. We could not determine what  effect, if any, that higher funding levels might have had on census  operations as this is dependent upon actual implementation and the results  of management decisions that may or may not have occurred. However,  according to bureau officials, lower than requested funding levels for fiscal  years 1993 through 1997 adversely affected the bureau’s planning and  development efforts for the 2000 Census. Difficulties in retaining knowledgeable staff. Scaled-back plans for testing and evaluating 1990 Census data. 3. Delays in implementing a planning database. Limited resources to update address databases. 6. 10. 2000 Census Planning Provides Lessons Learned for The 2010 Census

The bureau’s experience in preparing for the 2000 Census underscores the  importance of solid, upfront planning and adequate funding levels to carry  out those plans. Thorough and comprehensive planning and development efforts are crucial  to the ultimate efficiency and success of any large, long-term project,  particularly one with the scope, magnitude, and deadlines of the U.S.  decennial census. For the first year of the 7-year 2000 Census planning and development  phase, the fiscal year 1991 funding received was $1.5 million and the bureau  obligated the entire amount. The funding now identified eight major  study areas for the 2000 Census as indicated in table 2.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO reviewed the funding of 2000 Census planning and development efforts and the impact it had on census operations.

What GAO Found

Total funding for the 2000 Census, referred to as the life cycle cost, covers a 13-year period from fiscal year 1991 through fiscal year 2003 and is expected to total $6.5 billion adjusted to 2000 year dollars. This amount was almost double the reported life cycle cost of the 1990 Census of $3.3 billion adjusted to 2000 year dollars. Considering these escalating costs, the experience of the U.S. Census Bureau in preparing for the 2000 Census offers valuable insights for the planning and development efforts now occurring for the 2010 Census. Thorough and comprehensive planning and development efforts are crucial to the ultimate efficiency and success of any large, long-term project, particularly one with the scope, magnitude, and the deadlines of the U.S. decennial census. For fiscal years 1991 through 1997, $269 million was requested in the President's Budgets for 2000 Census planning and development and the program received funding of $224 million by Congress, or 83 percent of the amount requested. According to U.S. Census Bureau records, the bulk of the $86 million in funding received through the end of fiscal year 1995 was obligated for program development and evaluation methodologies, testing and dress rehearsals, and planning for the acquisition of automated data processing and telecommunications support. The U.S. Census Bureau was responsible for carrying out its mission within the budget provided and bureau management determined the specific areas in which available resources were invested. GAO could not determine what effect, if any, that higher funding levels might have had on bureau operations as this is dependent upon actual implementation and the results of management decisions that may or may not have occurred. According to bureau officials, early planning and development efforts for the 2000 Census were adversely affected by lower funding than requested for fiscal years 1993 through 1997. They identified 10 areas where additional funding could have been beneficial. These included difficulties in retaining knowledgeable staff, scaled back plans for testing and evaluating 1990 Census data, delays in implementing a planning database, and limited resources to update address databases. The bureau's experience in preparing for the 2000 Census underscores the importance of solid, upfront planning and adequate funding levels to carry out those plans.