DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 34-99
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Director Unemployment Insurance Service
SUBJECT	:	National Office SUN System Year 2000 (Y2K) Readiness Certification

1. Purpose. To inform State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) that the Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) SUN computer system is fully ready for Y2K and has been certified at low risk for experiencing Y2K problems.

2. References.FM 64-96, UIPL 30-97, UIPL 1-98, UIPL 38-98 Change 1, UIPL 46-98, and UIPL 48-98.

3. Background. All Federally developed automated systems were required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to be compliant by March 31, 1999. Awareness, assessment, renovation, validation, and implementation of the UI SUN system was required by this date. The Division of Information Technology (DIT), in UIS, was charged with ensuring that the UI SUN computer system, both hardware and software, met all the necessary requirements. This included the development and testing of a Business Continuity and Contingency Plan (BCCP) and an Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) by an outside reviewer. States have inquired regarding the Y2K status of the UI SUN system as part of the ongoing review being conducted for all their systems.

4. Status of Y2K Readiness and Certification: The Unemployment Insurance Service successfully completed all Year 2000 readiness requirements on March 15, 1999. The UI SUN systems are now fully ready for Y2K operations. All software and hardware related to the SUN system have officially been given a passing grade for Y2K readiness by an independent contractor who conducted detailed reviews of the system and verified that the UIS had also met the requirements for having all the appropriate documentation and evidence of meeting OMB criteria.

   UIPL 48-98, dated October 14, 1998, listed in detail all of the application software, system software, and hardware which UIS would check for Y2K compliance. The independent Y2K validations were conducted by Intermetrics, Inc. The IV&V evaluation of the UI SUN system compliance activities was conducted based on standards set by OMB. A copy of the final report cover memo, indicating low risk for the UI System, is attached. The UI portion of the Employment and Training's BCCP was tested using critical data manually transmitted by a SESA and manually compiled by UIS.

   UIS performed both internal and external testing of all software and hardware related to the SUN computer system. Internal testing was performed by UIS users which required access to all UI developed applications. External testing was performed by State users and State SUN System Administrators. The following tests were performed after the implementation of hardware and software upgrades and utility enhancements. These mandatory tests were conducted successfully and fully documented under the following leap year and roll over scenarios:

   • 12/31/1999 - 01/01/2000: the system clocks and date ranges tested entry of a two digit year;
   • 01/01/2000 - 02/29/2000: the system clocks and date ranges tested the turn of the century;
   • 03/01/2000 - 12/31/2000: the system clocks and date ranges tested the leap year;
   • 01/01/2001 and beyond: the system clocks and date ranges tested the start of the new millennium.

5. Action Required.  SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff.

6. Inquiries. All inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office.

7. Attachment. Independent Verification & Validation final report cover memo.