Loss of two positions and only one will be refilled. Fonda and Willis will be sharing functions formerly performed by Steve Bowman. DIRM staff will deal with downsizing by withdrawing involvement from new development efforts such as CHS and Billing. DIRM will focus only on maintaining telecommunications and getting RPMS updates out to tribes. DIRM is being asked to provide additional functions of supporting ARMS and Area Office personal computers.
Telecommunications system is considered residual.
The level of technical support and training that DIRM is able to provide has declined dramatically over the last 6 years. Tribes purchasing DIRM services are no longer receiving critical services. Without continued IHS investment in RPMS development, tribes may be left with an old dinosaur system to maintain. There is concern about the use of private vendors only in this development. There is no involvement of tribes and Areas in selection of new telecommunications system and probably will be inadequate support and training for transition.