In conjunction with the release of the DRIS RFP, the U.S. Census Bureau has prepared an RFP Digital Test Deck™ (DTD). The RFP DTD consists of paper forms populated with fictious data and corresponding Truth and Field Mapping Files. Offerors can use the DTD materials to aid in proposal preparation. The RFP DTD is similar to the one made available in July 2004, but it contains 100 forms with data and a blank form. The purpose of the RFP DTD is to provide a simulation aid for a system designer to better understand the DRIS paper data capture design parameters and test solutions. The forms within the RFP DTD show a great deal of respondent mark variation and form color variation, simulating some of the variations to be found in an actual census. The samples provide simulated, but representative system inputs ONLY, and do not reflect any final decisions regarding 2010 Census forms design or content.
Requesting the paper DTD:
These test materials can be obtained ONLY by submitting a request to the DRIS staff via email; they will not be distributed with the RFP. Further, only TWO (2) decks will be provided to each team and must be requested by the prime contractor. Test decks will need to be retrieved in person at Census headquarters in Suitland, MD.
To obtain the decks, please send an e-mail with "RFP DTDs, please" in the subject line to the following address: dscmo.2010.dris@census.gov. In the e-mail, please provide the name and contact information of the person who will be picking up these materials for your team. The Government will confirm receipt of requests via e-mail within two (2) business days of your request and will attempt to fill all requests within five (5) business days of receiving the request. Requestors will be provided a scheduled date and time to pick up the RFP DTD. If you have not heard from us within the above time periods, please attempt to resend the e-mail or contact the CO listed in the RFP.
Accessing the DTD Truth and Field Mapping Files:
To repeat, the purpose of RFP DTD sample test forms is to provide a simulation tool for a system designer by providing representative system inputs to better understand the DRIS paper data capture design parameters. The RFP DTD illustrates the complex interactions of the optical characteristics of census forms and respondent marks, both of which vary spectrally. It also illustrates the relationship of the imaging system to the form design. The samples provided do not reflect any final decisions regarding 2010 Census forms.
The response content of the RFP DTD forms is known, and you will need to obtain this information for your testing, as follows:
- To obtain the "truth" file, which gives the correct data represented by the simulated respondent marks, see the following link:
- ASCII "truth" file (.txt / 1.31 mb)
- The truth file is a plain tab delimited ASCII text that can be viewed using WordPad.
- The truth file is formatted as follows: CensusID {tab} fieldname{tab} CRLF
- The truth file is also available in XML format (.xml / 2.25 mb).
- Both truth files are available for download in a .zip file (.zip / 192 kb).
- To obtain the field mapping, which shows graphically how to relate the "truth" data to the form, see the following link:
- Field Mapping file (pdf / 2.9 mb)
- The field mapping file is a PDF.
- The field mapping file is a color image of both sides of the form. Each field is labeled with the field name, number of characters in the field, (L or R) left or right justified, (A or N) alpha or numeric field.
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