U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D. C. 20210

CLASSIFICATION

UI

CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL

TEUT

ISSUE DATE

May 14, 1999

RESCISSIONS

None

EXPIRATION DATE

May 31, 2000

DIRECTIVE

:

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 31-99
 

TO

:

ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
 

FROM

:

GRACE A. KILBANE
Director
Unemployment Insurance Service
 

SUBJECT

:

Implementation of the Interstate Connection (ICON) Frame Relay Network

 

  1. Purpose. To encourage State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) to implement the Interstate Connection (ICON) frame relay network.

  2. Reference. UIPL No. 42-98, Implementation of an upgraded Interstate Connection (ICON) network.

  3. Background. In August 1998, the Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) announced plans (UIPL NO. 42-98) to upgrade the existing ICON network to a frame relay network and to transmit unemployment insurance (UI) reports data via ICON. In addition to the basic ICON connections for Interstate Benefits, the new frame relay network will provide the UIS with secure private network connections to the States. These connections will also provide SESAs with direct connectivity to the UIS resulting in a cost effective method of transmitting and receiving UI reports data.

    The ICON contractor, Lockheed Martin Integrated Business Solutions (LMIBS), has been coordinating implementation of the frame relay network with the States. Currently, new circuits have been installed in 49 States. In addition, States are being contacted by LMIBS to confirm router configurations prior to shipment. Routers have been configured to meet each State's requirements and shipped to 30 States with 16 of these States currently using the new frame relay network. Now that most of the circuits have been installed and the network has been tested and is operational, the UIS urges the remaining States to work towards a speedy implementation of this new network system. The goal is to have all States updated to the frame relay network by June 4, 1999.

  4. Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to:

    1. Provide this information to appropriate staff.

    2. Make every effort to meet the goal of migrating to the frame relay network by June 4, 1999.

    3. Contact Martha Hazelrigg at LMIBS (407-306-7228) with technical questions.

  5. Inquiries. Direct inquiries to the appropriate regional office.