Lockheed Martin wins $500m contract for 2010 census work

Lockheed Martin Corp. has won a $500 million contract from the Census Bureau to develop and operate the information processing system for the 2010 Decennial Census.

The Decennial Response Integration System contract will include developing an option for filing census questionnaire responses via the Internet. The contract also includes systems, facilities and staffing to capture and standardize census data via paper census forms, telephone and the Internet.

The Census Bureau, a division of the Commerce Department, will use the integrated response system to provide respondent assistance as well as data capture for the 2010 Census.

"Incorporating an Internet-based option for responding to the decennial count helps the bureau make the census process even more responsive and inclusive," said Preston J. Waite, associate director for the 2010 U.S. Census.

DRIS will capture and integrate all data coming into the Census Bureau from mailed forms, telephone questionnaire assistance and Internet responses and from information uploaded from population counters' handheld computers. DRIS integrates them into form and presents them to Census as data files.

"It's like a goalie or big catch net, capturing all the data coming in no matter where it comes from. It will integrate everybody who tries to answer the Census form," Waite said. The information about the population will be more comprehensive and it will be captured more quickly and consistently.

Lockheed Martin also developed the information processing system for the 2000 census, which was the first time the bureau used scanned-image optical-character recognition technology. The contractor has spent the last five years working on similar programs in other countries.

Although similar to Census 2000, program requirements for the 2010 Census include a more complex, multiple channel response program.

"For example, the DRIS program will integrate our data capture capabilities with our operations for the first time," said Andy Patrichuk, Lockheed Martin's vice president of civil mission solutions. This will provide for better coordination over the project in order to decide the best technology.

As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin will integrate and manage a team of companies including Cardinal Technologies Inc. of Bethesda, Md.; Computer Sciences Corp. of El Segundo, Calif.; Evolver Inc. of Reston, Va.; IBM of Bethesda, Md.; Métier Ltd. of Washington, D.C.; Nortel PEC Solutions of Fairfax, Va.; and Pearson Government Solutions of Arlington, Va. The DRIS contract is a six-year, cost-plus, award-fee contract with firm fixed-price elements.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $35.5 billion. It is ranked No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of prime federal contractors.

Mary Mosquera is a staff writer for Washington Technology's sister publication, Government Computer News.