Overview of the ALMRS/Modernization Project

BLM has designated the ALMRS/Modernization project as a mission-critical system to (1) automate land and mineral records and case processing activities and (2) provide information to support land and resource management activities. Also, BLM estimates that it will exceed the fiscal year 1996 limit of $69.5 million by $25.2 million. Progress on the Development and Implementation of ALMRS/ Modernization

BLM has completed most of the initial installation of computer and telecommunications equipment and has met most of its ALMRS IOC, GCDB, and rehost milestones thus far. BLM has taken action to maintain its tight development schedule, but slippages could still occur because there is little schedule time available to correct unanticipated problems. BLM recently revised the installation schedule because of an anticipated reduction in funding for fiscal year 1996. However, the project schedule could slip because there is little time available to deal with unexpected problems. BLM’s recent action to obtain independent verification and validation of ALMRS IOC software should help ensure that BLM’s requirements are met. The Bureau said it now plans to stress test the entire ALMRS/ Modernization to ensure that all systems and technology can process the workloads expected during peak operating conditions.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) modernization of its Automated Land and Mineral Record System (ALMRS), focusing on: (1) BLM progress in developing and implementing ALMRS modernization; and (2) potential modernization risks.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) although BLM initiated ALMRS planning in the early 1980s, it did not award the modernization contract until 1993 because of numerous changes in the project's concept and scope; (2) BLM has installed most of its initial computer and telecommunications equipment and has met most of its schedule milestones, but it is deferring some equipment deployment until fiscal year (FY) 1996 and FY 1997 because of a lack of funds; (3) project costs are expected to exceed the FY 1996 spending limit by $25.5 million due to added system requirements; (4) schedule slippages may occur because ALMRS modernization is becoming more complicated and BLM has allocated little time to deal with unanticipated problems; and (5) although BLM has recently obtained independent verification and validation of new ALMRS software to ensure that it meets BLM needs, BLM does not plan to stress test the entire ALMRS modernization project to access its ability to meet anticipated peak workloads.