Example Quarterly Performance Report submitted by grantee

Currently I am working with our Network Services staff to identify the specifications of the equipment to ensure that it meets the performance level required to successfully implement all aspects of the project. I anticipate placing the order May 6th. The equipment and connectivity installation is currently projected to take place in July and August 2002 to avoid disruption of services when the clinics are open during the academic year. Our goal is to have this phase of the project completed prior to the return of clinic staff in early fall. We want to utilize the lag time between clinic start-up/reopening and student’s return to school to conduct staff training related to the new network and the increased applications that will result.

In last quarter’s report I discussed the delay in implementing the I-Net connectivity option we outlined in our original project proposal. Since then the project’s technical advisory team has reviewed all the information that AT&T provided and has determined that the I-Net does not meet the basic standards necessary to implement the project. In some ways this decision doesn’t seem like a milestone, which are generally thought of as a positive step. However, the determination has now been made to move forward with an alternative connectivity option.

As I mentioned in the last progress report, two alternative connectivity options were being evaluated, ERINE and T-1 lines. The advisory team’s decision is to install T-1 lines at each clinic location and tie them to the County Information Services Division’s (ISD) central hub. In many ways this is a better option than I-Net because the majority of County facilities have the same connectivity. Our current clinic connectivity is through each school district’s network, resulting in substandard performance. Once our program clinics utilize T-1 lines they will have the same performance levels, applications and network support that is now available at other County locations.

In section D1, I revised the completion dates for: planning and designing layout of the WAN, negotiating agreements for access to network equipment at school sites, and purchasing, installing and testing WAN equipment. All three of these activities are related to pursuing a different connectivity option than was originally proposed for the project.

Project expenditures during the last project period were for travel of grantee representatives at the Grant Recipient Orientation Workshop, indirect costs, and payroll for the Evaluation Specialist.