Congressman to DOL: Give us the background on the lock-up changes

Congressman John Kline, chairman of the committee with primary jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Labor, is requesting more information on why the lock-up rules are being changed. In a letter dated last Friday, he asks to see the study by the Sandia National Laboratory that was delivered in August 2011 and looks at the lock-up process:

To gain a better understanding of DOL’s new procedure – including the need for such procedures – please provide a complete copy of Sandia’s August 2011 report to the Committee on Education and the Workforce upon receipt of this letter. In addition, provide the committee with the following no later than June 15, 2012:

1. An explanation of why DOL personnel believed there was an unauthorized release of economic data and when DOL personnel first discovered an unauthorized release had occurred.
2. All communications and documents from or to the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Deputy Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs. BLS. ETA. the Office of the Solicitor of Labor, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management concerning possible unauthorized release of economic data and the establishment of the new procedures outlined in DOL’s April 10, 2012 policy statement.
3. All communications and documents between DOL and the Office of Management and Budget concerning the possible unauthorized release of economic data and the establishment of the new procedures outlined in DOL’s April 10. 2012 policy statement.
4. An explanation of why Sandia was granted a sole-source award to produce the August 2011 report, including all procurement records.
5. A timetable under which DOL plans to be in compliance with the recommendations included in Sandia’s August 2011 report.
6. A description of any forensic examination of computers and/or other information technology (IT) equipment in the press lock-up area in connection with an unauthorized release of economic data.
7. A description of the means by which DOL personnel communicated concerns about an unauthorized release of economic data to DOL’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), including any documents or transmittal letters that may have been referred to OIG.
8. A description of DOL’s protocols related to the removal of the news media’s computers and other IT equipment from the press lock-up area, including a description of DOL’s plans for any unclaimed equipment.
9. A list of any DOL-owned computers and other IT equipment in the press lock-up area determined to be missing, including the estimated cost of this property.
10. An estimated cost of replacing privately owned computers and other IT equipment in the press lock-up facility with DOL-owned equipment.
11. A copy of DOL’s new credentialing criteria for media outlets participating in the lock-up.”