|Newsletter NCIC 2000 - Linking It All Together

      October 1996 
        Volume 1, Number 4

      Project Status Update

      Introduction
        We apologize for not being around
        for awhile. Our author recently returned to her job at the Illinois
        State Police. We've added a new staff person this September,
        however, and he'll make sure we live up to our commitment to
        update this newsletter monthly.
        Central Segment Hardware and
        Software Acquisition
        The Harris Corporation (Harris)
        released the solicitation document for the acquisition of the
        Central Segment system hardware and software on September 30.
        This acquisition will provide the central processing unit and
        system software needed to process NCIC 2000 transactions. Harris
        will work on cost and technical teams to evaluate the proposals
        during mid to late October.
        The contract is scheduled to
        be awarded in mid-November 1996. Harris will acquire the equipment
        and software in two phases. The first delivery will be in January
        1997 and will consist of an initial configuration that will be
        used to develop, integrate, and test applications software. The
        second delivery will be in January 1998 and, added to the initial
        configuration, will make up the final NCIC 2000 Central Segment.
        The final configuration is anticipated to have multiple central
        processing units, with over 500 million instructions per second
        (MIPS) and four gigabytes of memory. Storage will consist of
        two independent subsystems, each providing a minimum of 180 gigabytes
        of storage.
        The central processing system
        will support a parallel Sysplex environment and data sharing.
        The computers will use complimentary metal oxide semiconductor
        (CMOS) technology. This is a relatively new configuration that
        uses less power, and requires less special handling (e.g., temperature
        and humidity controls and floor space) than traditional water
        cooled mainframe computers. CMOS technology has been successfully
        employed at a growing number of commercial and government applications.
        CMOS technology is scalable. It can easily add increased quantities
        of processing complexes and power (MIPS). This means that the
        NCIC 2000 system can grow as usage increases without having to
        replace existing hardware and software.
        Completion of Change Order
        Proposal (COP) #8 Negotiations
        In August, the FBI and Harris
        completed their negotiations on COP #8. The completion of these
        negotiations puts the new target cost and schedule estimates
        for NCIC 2000 in place. The date for initial NCIC 2000 operating
        capability remains July 1999. The FBI will soon brief Congress
        on the additional funding needed to complete the project. Key
        areas of COP #8 include cost and schedule estimates for developing
        central processing applications software, acquisition of the
        Central Segment hardware and software, and options for delivery
        and enhancements to the fingerprint matching subsystem (FMS),
        workstation, and mobile imaging unit (MIU).
        Next Steps for User Segment
        The FBI is working with Harris
        to develop a plan for completing work on the user segment of
        NCIC 2000. The user segment includes the FMS, workstation, and
        MIU. This Fall, the FBI will task Harris to prepare a plan for
        completion, delivery, and integration of these subsystems. The
        FBI also has set aside a fixed amount of funds for any enhancements
        that these subsystems will need. Once the first version of these
        subsystems is delivered to FBI headquarters, the FBI will be
        communicating with the States for opportunities to test these
        products in an operational environment. Although no dates are
        firm until Harris responds to the SOW, look for the testing to
        occur sometime in late 1997 or early 1998.
        Probable actions on the end user
        segment include making the software, documentation, and computer
        based training for the FMS, workstation, and MIU all compatible
        with the software image processing supercard (SWIPS). This software
        program, which is FBI owned and will be made available to all
        States free of charge, will be used instead of the hardware IPScard.
        The FBI has directed Harris to stop work on this card. Also,
        all compression of mugshots and similar images will use JPEG.
        Integrated Logistics Conference
        In September 1996, the FBI and
        Harris held the first Integrated Logistics Conference to discuss
        the development, delivery, operation, and maintenance of the
        NCIC 2000 system. The conference covered a diverse area of subjects
        ranging from Harrisþ approach to configuration and data
        management during system development, to the approach for training
        of and providing documentation to system operators, programmers,
        and network managers. The FBI and Harris will pay close attention
        to logistics to ensure a smooth transition to NCIC 2000. This
        will also help the FBI to efficiently operate and maintain the
        system once it is operational.
        Test and Transition Working
        Group Meeting
        The Test and Transition Working
        Group met in September to discuss and evaluate Harris' approach
        to testing system software and moving from NCIC to NCIC 2000.
        Testing will examine the ability of each software application
        to meet NCIC 2000 requirements. It will also evaluate the integration
        of these applications together to form the operational system.
        Transition issues will cover the work that needs to be done to
        ensure that the switch from NCIC to NCIC 2000 goes smoothly,
        with minimal impact on system users.

      State Your Opinion

      This space is provided for
        authorized criminal justice agencies to provide commentary, questions,
        or suggestions. We will provide an answer to all questions. If
        you would like to submit an article, send it to:
        Federal Bureau
        of Investigation
        Attn: Ms. Katina Mackall
        Room 9504
        NCIC 2000 Program Office
        935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
        Washington, DC 20535

      Line

      | Return
      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|