Federal agencies responsible for critical public services would be required to conduct end-to-end testing of computer systems under a new bill announced Monday.
H.R. 1447, sponsored by Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn., would designate July 1, 1999 as National Y2K Test Day. On that day, agencies responsible for public health and safety, payments to individuals, delivery of services to consumers and national defense would perform a trial run to make sure critical computer systems will work together on Jan. 1, 2000.
"This test must be done at the exact same time with all computers participating so that individual computers and interoperating computers can be tested for Y2K compliance," an explanation of the bill said.
The bill would also require agencies to disclose the results of Y2K Test Day on August 16, 1999, which would be known as National Y2K Disclosure Day. State, local and private organizations would not be required to participate.
In a March 26 memo, Office of Management and Budget director Jacob J. Lew ordered agencies to demonstrate to the public that high-impact programs will still operate after Jan. 1, 2000. OMB issued a list of 42 critical federal programs and services that have a direct impact on public health, safety and well-being. Agencies must conduct end-to-end testing of systems used in these programs by Sept. 30.
Services such as food stamps and Social Security rely on information exchanged with state and private computers. End-to-end testing would ensure that the computer systems are able to electronically exchange information.
OMB has also set other Y2K deadlines. On May 15, agencies must submit reports on remaining unfixed computer systems. On June 15, agencies must file contingency plans that prepare for potential glitches resulting from the Y2K bug.