[CTPP] CTPP2000 Update -- Delays in Releasing Part 1

We are behind schedule on the release of the Part 1 data (by place of residence) for CTPP 2000. Data release did not begin in December as we said it would, and it is clear now that it will not begin in January either. Release may begin by the end of February but I can't guarantee that date yet as there are still too many unknowns. Here's where we stand. The programs are all written to tabulate the data, and we are on our fifth iteration of the complete Part 1 datasets in the tabulate/review/correct process for our test states. We recently added one table to Part 1 but have been held up from going into full final production by a policy issue that has cropped up here in the Census Bureau. This is unfortunate timing, since if we had released the data in December as planned we might have gotten it out before the policy issue arose. The issue affects other census products in addition to the CTPP, but we do not have a time table for when it will be resolved. This is a high priority topic here, though, so I am hoping it will be resolved in the next two weeks. We just completed our first review of the browsing, mapping, and exporting software that will be used to access CTPP 2000 data (CTPP Access Tool --CAT). We sent our comments to the two vendors late today so they can begin incorporating the fixes. There are several bugs that need to be addressed, but the basic functionality seems to be working properly. I do not anticipate getting a second version to review any sooner than the first week of February, and it will take us a few days to check out that version. If we are up and running in data file production by then we will submit the files to the vendors, they will import the data and create the CD images, send the images back to us for volume CD production, and then shipping out to the States and MPOs will occur. Given these delays and CD production scheduling, I expect that the first CDs will be available beginning in late February at the earliest. Part 1 release for the entire country will probably take six to eight weeks. I know that many States and MPOs are planning to use the CTPP 2000 for their model update work and need the data as quickly as possible. I apologize for this delay and am working to get the data out as soon as possible. --Phil Salopek