vvEPA
   Vol. 2
January/February
No. 1
IA C Interagency Agreement

IHU Policies  and  Procedures

                            Jim Obenschain
More and  more  federal,  state  and local
government agencies will  need  access to
EPA computer  facilities as more EPA pro-
jects  are computerized.   The  Inter-
governmental  Cooperation  Act of  1968
(P.L.  90-577,  Stat  1102)  provides  for
such access.   Chapters 1  and  6 of EPA's
ADP Manual and  EPA Order  1610.1A outline
EPA's  policies regarding access  to  EPA
computer  centers  by other government
agencies.

Before  any non-EPA government  agency can
use the EPA computer centers, these steps
must be followed  to establish  and imple-
ment an Interagency Agreement  (IAG):

•    The requesting agency should forward
     to MIDSD  a   proposed  statement  of
     work  and a memorandum requesting an
     IAG,  showing the appropriate manage-
     ment   approval and  commitment  of
     funds by the  user organization.   If
     the requesting agency wishes, MIDSD
     will  help in the preparation of this
     statement of work.
     If an overhead  charge  is applicable
     under EPA Order  1610.1A,  Paragraph
     9.b.4,  this  overhead rate  should be
     incorporated  into the  statement of
     work for  the proposed IAG.


     The proposed IAG  will then be given
     to Betty Mingo at MIDSD.  MIDSD will
     review  the statement of work to en-
     sure that  it does not duplicate
     other  projects  or conflict  with
     other plans, that it is in  line with
     policies  stated  in  the ADP Manual,
     and that it is in all respects tech-
     nically sound.
                The proposed IAG will  be sent to the
                DAA of  the  Office of  Administration
                for signing.   The  IAG will  then, be
                returned to MIDSD.  (The DAA of the
                Office of Administration is the only
                person authorized to sign lAG's for
                use of the EPA data  centers.)

                MIDSD will next send the IAG to the
                IAG Office  (Vince Jay) in  the  Con-
                tract Managements Division.  The IAG
                Office will coordinate the IAG with
                the Office of Federal  Activities and
                the  Program Analysis  Division  and
                forward fully executed  copies to the
                requesting agency, to  the EPA office
                responsible for performing the work
                (MIDSD),  to the  Budget  Operations
                Division, and to the appropriate EPA
                accounting office.

                The Budget  Operations  Division will
                increase suballowance  holder  17
                (Office  of  Administration)  to  the
                maximum amount of expected usage.

                The new customer will be given an
                account  number  for  which the  sub-
                allowance holder has been increased
                by  the  maximum  amount of expected
                usage.

                For  billing,  a  summary  of  charges
                will be sent quarterly to the Finan-
                cial Management Division, unless the
                amount  is  not  large enough  to make
                billing worthwhile.   If the charges
                are too  small,  they will be accumu-
                lated  until  the amount  is  large
                enough to bill.

                The  Financial  Management  Division
                will  prepare  a Standard  Form 1080,
                which is used to transfer  funds  from
                one federal agency to  another.  When
                this  form  is  sent  to the IAG user,
                the  Financial  Management  Division
                will  authorize MIDSD  to  spend the
                amount   of  money  that  has  been
                billed.

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•    Assistant  Administrators,  Heads  of
     Staff Offices,  and Regional  Admin-
     istrators are authorized to  execute
     Interagency  Agreements  subject   to
     the limitations and procedures  pro-
     vided in  Paragraph 8  of EPA Order
     1610.1A.

These  guidelines should  be used when
talking to non-EPA agencies  about  Inter-
agency Agreements for use of EPA computer
centers.
     All IAG requests containing detailed
     information about statements of work
     that will  be with the  data  centers
     should be addressed to:

          Donald U. Fulford
          Chief, Data Center
          NCC, U.S. EPA
          MD-34
          Research Triangle Park,  N.C.
          27711

     The  proposed IAG  will  be  reviewed
     before being  sent  to Betty Mingo at
     M1DSD in Washington, D.C.
     The  Director of the  NCC  has deter-
     mined that an  IAG  with the National
     Computer  Center will have  an over-
     head  charge  of  15 percent  on  com-
     puter runs only.

     For IAG information, call Bill Allen
     at  the  NCC  (FTS 629-2123) t  or  Jean
     Wilkinson at the WCC (FTS 755-0800).
      Any  non-EPA government  agency  must
      obtain  an IAG to  acquire  access to
      the  EPA computer  facilities.   Fed-
      eral agencies should  contact  the
      appropriate  data  center directly to
      obtain  an  IAG and  access to  that
      facility.   State  and local agencies
      must contact  the  Regional Adminis-
      trator or the  Laboratory Director.

      A new account  number  and user-ID/-
      password(s)  will  be established for
      the  non-EPA user.   Funds  to cover
      computer  usage  for  these new  ac-
      counts  will be added to the appro-
      priate suballowance  fund for  ac-
      counting  and billing.
     Monthly,  each EPA office will moni-
     tor  the  IAG computer  usage  and
     charges  for  each of  its  non-EPA
     users and  be  responsible  for  any
     overruns  created  by these  users.
     This monitoring  is done so the non-
     EPA user can  be advised when funds
     are almost  exhausted.
Changes  in
Telecommunications
Support	
                               Fred Kastner

Elimination of  2000 boa RJE  Support at
MCC

Effective March 1,  1979,  NCC will dis-
continue support of 2000 bps  RJE  access.
In the place of 2000 bps (201-A modems),
NCC will only support 4800 bps for dial-
up RJE  access.   If you  are  now using  a
201-A modem  to access NCC  at 2000 bps,
you  need to  get a 201 -B  modem   before
March 1, 1979 to access NCC at 4800 bps.
The  NCC provides  4800  bps  WATS lines
(800-334-9761)   and  4800  bps commercial
lines (919-541-2094).

Questions or problems with  this should be
directed to Fred Kastner  at  the NCC (919-
541-2932 or FTS 629-2932).

Conversion to Full-Duplex 1200  bos
Support

Due to  the  popularity, availability, and
enhanced operating characteristics of
1200  bps full-duplex  telecommunications
access,  NCC will  not  support  1200  bps
half-duplex access  after March 1, 1979.
This  means  that the 202-type modems at
NCC currently  accessible via  549-8691
and FTS 629-2473 will  be  removed after
March 1.

If you  are currently  dialing either of
these numbers to access  NCC,  you  need to
make  arrangements  to  replace your  1200
bps half-duplex modem or acoustic  coupler
(e.g.,  Anderson-Jacobson ADAC  1200)  with
a  full-duplex type.  Information  regard-
ing available procedures may  be obtained
from  Fred  Kastner at  the  NCC (919-
541-2932 or FTS 629-2932).

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Life  Cycle
Training
                                 Vic Cohen
The  December EPA  Data  Talk  introduced
life cycle training as a  new  EPA training
approach for NADP1.   Here  1  want to  ex-
pose EPA data processing  users/management
to the life cycle training model and  its
principles,  show how  it  works,  demon-
strate  its potential effectiveness in
EPA, and urge its  actual application  for
subsequent analysis.

The  life  cycle  training  model directs  a
variety of  information systems and man-
agement training toward people with dif-
ferent backgrounds and capabilities.   The
model must  be redeveloped  for each  new
set of conditions.

This  development procedure  consists  of
six  steps.   The  first  three  steps define
and  link  the   variables  of  audience
(trainee) categories,  courses (modules or
mini-courses), and the phases (or events)
of  any  given life  cycle.    For example,
the  audience categories could  be project
officer,  contractor, user,  and senior
manager.    The  courses might  be project
management, security, data bases,  and
executive seminar.  And  the phases of  a
system life cycle could be  called project
initiation, feasibility  study,  system
design,  test  and  implementation,  and
maintenance and  audit.  These  variables
are used here because  they  are reasonably
self-explanatory.

The  fourth step  is  to  determine   where
audiences and courses  converge.  For  ex-
ample, project officers will benefit from
a course on  project management.  And  all
audiences,  save  senior managers,  should
review security  considerations.   (Senior
Managers  should  have   a  security discus-
sion during the Executive Seminar,  but it
need not comprise a separate course.)
Step five ties the  audience-course  link-
age to  a phase in  the  life  cycle.    The
project officer will benefit most from  a
project  management  course  taken during
the feasibility study,  in time  to prepare
for contractor  management duties during
system  design.   Likewise, project  offi-
cers  and contractors  need a security
briefing  during  the  feasibility  phase,
and users need security appreciation just
prior to system acceptance.

The final step is to summarize the matrix
content.   These  data  are invaluable  in
designing  programs  of instruction,  bal-
ancing  attendee profiles,  scheduling
sessions, etc.

The  matrix below portrays a  five-phase
system life cycle, but this can be easily
expanded,  as  can the  number  of audience
categories and courses.  This matrix con-
forms to the life cycle we are now using.
However, we are not limited  to  a system
life cycle, but  could  overlay the matrix
with a  ZBB development  schedule,  program
planning calendar, or whatever.

The life cycle training model has several
advantages over  traditional  training ap-
proaches.   The  model  gives structure and
direction to a customized mix of training
sessions that meet  the  specific needs of
a single program office.  It also guaran-
tees  the  assessment  of  user/management
                  (continued on page 5, column 2)
        LIFE CYCLE TRAINING MODEL
AUDIENCE   COURSES
CATEGORY   PER AUD   COURSES OR SESSIONS
                   Proj Data Secur-  Exec
                   Mat  Base  itv    Sem
Project
Officer
Contractor
User

3
3
2

FS
FS


FS
FS
TI

D
D
MA
Senior
Manager
FS,
MA
Audience per
Course               2    3      3   1,  1

SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE PHASES:

PI - Project Initiation
FS - Feasibility Study
D  - System Design
TI - Test and Implementation
MA - Maintenance and Audit

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NCC
Highlights.
 V
                                Tom Rogers
     The  overall  stability  at NCC  con-
tinues to be excellent - almost unbeliev-
able.  For November,  the NCC  had  only  14
failures,  an  all-time  record.    During
this  period,  the  NCC  installed  several
system tapes as well  as several hardware
modifications.  As of December 20,  there
have  been  only  five  failures  for  the
month.
     In  mid-December,  a new  disk  sub-
system was  implemented  on  the  floor sys-
tem.   This  subsystem will  be  brought  to
full utilization over the next  few weeks.
A second  system  is  planned  for implemen-
tation during January and February.

\   Recently, an outside computer secur-
ity  consulting  firm reviewed  the  NCC.
The results were generally favorable with
some areas needing attention.
     The  User Orientation  Seminar  has
been  quite  successfully  presented  in
Kansas City  and  Boston.   It  is presented
monthly at RTF and Headquarters and will
be presented at a user site if sufficient
interest is  shown.
Network
Update
                                Fred Kastaer

Significant  progress  has  been  made  in
providing  1001  RJE  access to NCC through
the  network facilities.   The  four test
sites will  undergo  a test and acceptance
period  beginning  January  2.    Several
sites,  including New  York,  Seattle,  and
Minneapolis,  are receiving  priority  at-
tention to  resolve  repeated problems.

For 1200 bps (Bell  212 only) users in the
RTF area,  six Bell  212  modems  have been
installed at NCC for accessing either NCC
(NCCMSPD)  or WCC.   That number  is 541-
2071.
                                                NADPI pr°J'ct
                                                ™vr* Management
                                                NeWS
NADPI's  ADP Project  Management course
will be offered again this winter in RTF
and Washington.   This course,  presented
by  Robert Gilbertson  of  Data Architects
and  formerly  of the  Harvard Business
School, is  a  prerequisite  for  Applied
ADP Project  Management.
                                                Applied Project Management, a new course,
                                                will  commence  at  RTF in March  and  then
                                                proceed to  Washington.   This  course  is
                                                designed as  a sequel  to  the Gilbertson
                                                course.  Schedules of the project manage-
                                                ment curriculum will be distributed  at a
                                                later time,  probably in
                                                 Nolan Study  Seminar
                                                 and  Workshop Planned
                                                                                Ed Franklin

                                                 M1DSD has scheduled a Nolan study  seminar
                                                 and workshop  for February  9,  1979  at EPA
                                                 Headquarters.    The  Nolan  study   is   an
                                                 assessment of the substantive content and
                                                 effectiveness of EPA information systems,
                                                 so this seminar and workshop should be  of
                                                 special interest to the EPA data process-
                                                 ing community.

                                                 During  the  morning, a seminar  is  sched-
                                                 uled to present  Nolan,  Norton and Com-
                                                 pany's  preliminary analysis,  the  status
                                                 of this  study,  and some emerging  issues.
                                                 Workshop  sessions  following  the  seminar
                                                 will allow  EPA  representatives to review
                                                 and comment on  Nolan's  analysis of their
                                                 organizational   applications   portfolio,
                                                 and  to relate  each  organization   to
                                                 Nolan's stage hypothesis.

                                                 For  more information  about  the  meeting
                                                 and  registration,   contact  Morris  Yaguda
                                                 or Ed Franklin at FTS 755-0811.

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DM&O
Dei&piut, Haotuaue, ati Opgitioas Coatiatt
                                 Anne Parkis

EPA's use  of the DM&O contract Increased
tremendously  during  the  fall  of  1978.
Two hundred  Computer Science  Corporation
(CSC)  employees  are now  providing  ser-
vices to about 80  EPA project  officers on
115  tasks.   The EPA contract value  now
exceeds five million dollars.

To support this  rapid increase in growth,
CSC  augmented and  restructured  the  DM&O
project organization to  emphasize quality
assurance  and software  management.   CSC
recently opened  a  new office in Ann Arbor
to  support  the  Motor  Vehicle  Emissions
Laboratory.  Other CSC offices supporting
the  DM&O  contract  are  in Falls  Church,
Virginia and  RTP.   Through  computer cen-
ter facilities management  tasks,  CSC per-
sonnel  also  provide  services  on-site  at
laboratories  in  Athens,  Gulf  Breeze,
Las  Vegas,  Corvallis,  Grosse  lie  and
Narragansett, at Regional  Headquarters in
New  York  and  San  Francisco,  and  at  EPA
Headquarters  in  Washington,  D.C.

The  popularity of the  DM&O contract
results from  its  extensive technical
scope  and  its  short  procurement  cycle.
Tasks-to-date  cover a  wide range  of ADP
services;  however,  the  support  is  gen-
erally  classified as research and analy-
sis, system  design and  development, soft-
ware  conversion,   software  maintenance,
documentation, or data  entry/operations.
Several DM&O tasks directly  support  EPA's
emphasis on ADP standards and  the  sharing
or exchange of data and  software.  Morris
Yaguda  from  MI DSD, and  Jack Sweeney  and
Dr.  Richard  Baker from  Region 2 are  the
project  officers  for  the  common  codes
pilot study.  This study will  provide  ex-
perimental data  for  analyzing the  prob-
lems,  costs, and  benefits  of  a common
naming and coding scheme for EPA informa-
tion systems.

In  the  pilot study,  an automated cross-
reference  file is being created  for  two
facilities  in New Jersey  by  extracting
data, such  as facility  name,  identifica-
tion code and location,  from multiple  EPA
data files.    Records of the  guidelines,
control  procedures,  and hours  spent will
be  maintained  throughout the  task.  From
this information,  a comprehensive assess-
ment will be made of  the effort and  money
required  to  identify and maintain common
data elements.

The  pilot study  parallels  a  feasibility
study  in  progress  for  the  Interagency
Regulatory Liaison Group (IRLG),  consis-
ting of EPA and other agencies concerned
with regulating  chemicals.   The feasibil-
ity  study,  scheduled for  completion  in
the  spring of 1979,  requires  the  defini-
tion,  introduction,  and  maintenance  of
standard  names  and  codes  for data ele-
ments  common  to information  systems  in
all  of the  IRLG agencies.   The  experi-
mental  data provided by  the  DM&O  pilot
study  will  help in EPA's  review  and
analysis  of  IRLG'3 feasibility study.
       RPA Data Talk is published 00011117 by
       the National Computer Center, Manage-
       ment Information and Data Syatema
       Division, for EPA personnel and con-
       tractor a interested  in general ADP
       topics.

       Comments and suggestions  are  soli-
       cited and should be addressed to:

           William G. Allen
           Editor, EPA Data Talk
           National Computer Center
           Research Triangle Park,
           North Carolina 27711
       To ensure that our distribution list
       is  up-to-date,  please indicate  any
       required changes on the mailing label
       attached to this issue and mail It to
       the above address.
(Continued from page 3, column 2)
awareness of  information management  and
acknowledges that certain features of the
project are  more  important than  others
and   need  repeating.     In  essence,  the
model  focuses  attention on  the  "human
resource development"  of the project team
and  on those  considerations which become
important at  different  times  throughout
the  life of  the project.

Certainly the model variables need expan-
sion and refinement, and we need to vali-
date and tune the approach by applying it
to  a program  office.    The  life  cycle
training model  could  be  a very effective
training tool.   But without  an examina-
tion of it  in  practice,  its  use and ac-
ceptance will be minimal.

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Highlights
from  the  WCC
V
                                 Curt Lackey
     MIDSD is now reviewing  a draft ver-
sion of  the WCC Policies  and Procedures
Handbook  provided  by  COMNET.   Selected
users have  been asked to  comment.   When
complete,  this  document  will  provide  a
single reference source and guide for WCC
operation and management.

If   COMNET  has been improving  its man-
agement  reporting  to EPA.   Suballowance
holders   are now  receiving  a Monthly
Analysis  Report and  a comprehensive FY79
budget has  been  provided to MIDSD.   A
Computer  Performance  Evaluation  Report
has been received and will be the vehicle
for pointing out system constraints.  And
a  comprehensive equipment inventory has
been received and is being reviewed.
V
     Version 3.1 of ALPHA was made avail.
able to the user community on December 6,
1978.   The  conversion  to  3.1  proceeded
smoothly  with  little  adverse  effect  on
the user community.  Many people were in-
          UNITID STATES
   ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

   National Computer Center
    Research Triangle Park
     North Carolina 27711

        OFFICIAL BUSINESS
   PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE S3OO
    AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYE*
                                                 strumental  in this  effort,  but  special
                                                 thanks  should go to  Lee Manning  of the
                                                 STORET  group  for assisting  with  ALPHA
                                                 testing.
V
     The new 45-day DASD archiving policy
was  implemented  at  the  end of  November
with noticeable  results.   The inconven-
ience to users caught by this change must
be weighed  against the  increase  in user
and  work  space.   Weighing the  pros and
cons has  proven  this new  policy  to  be
worthwhile.
 The  deadline  for  the March/April
 issue  of EPA  J2a£a.  Talk  is February
 28,  1979.   Contributions  received
 after  that  date will be published at
 the discretion  of  the editor.
                                                             POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
                                                              U S ENVIRONMENTAL
                                                              PROTECTION AGENCY

                                                                  EPA-339
                                                   THIRD  CLASS
                                                      BLK. RT.

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