Two months after rolling out a new website to make data more accessible, the U.S. Census Bureau is continuing to revamp its online presence.
According to a request for information posting on FedBizOpps.gov, the bureau is looking to increase public awareness of its website, census.gov, and improve the site’s search and navigation functions. “The agency seeks to help increase access to, interest in, and use of Census Bureau data products by the general public by utilizing a theme-based approach, instead of the current survey-specific reporting structure currently in use,” the RFI stated.
Under a theme-based approach, a census.gov website user would be able to access data and information under certain categories. For instance, a user would be able to look at all health care or education data in one place.
The RFI asks for information about a potential contract that would be part of the agency’s digital transformation program, which is designed to increase access to Census Bureau statistics, customer satisfaction and increase awareness of the agency by building its audience.
Census.govThe agency also has plans to improve the content management system, content migration and search platform on its website, according to the RFI posting.
The bureau launched its new website in May, focusing on interactive design and theme-based data browsing as well as an improved search platform. The changes to the website’s search platform were announced with the website, but the platform did not roll out with the initial redesign.
The search function will include the North American Industry Classification System codes, or standards used by federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments.
“Our goal has always been to democratize the statistics we produce and to put them directly in the hands of the American people to make decisions based on accurate and factual data,” Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson said in a statement. “The tools we use have changed over the years, and this redesigned website is our latest innovation to give statistical information we collect from the people, back to the people.”
The Census Bureau declined to comment on its RFI.
