PUBLIC NOTICE                                                    

                      

                                                                 

                             March 10, 1997


              STATUS OF RECORD IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM (RIPS)


 The FCC's Record Image Processing System (RIPS) experienced a
systems failure that has prevented the public from accessing
information in this database since February 11, 1997.  This
Public Notice clarifies the steps that are being taken to repair
this system as well as the interim measures put in place by the
FCC to ensure public access to FCC filings.

Background

 The FCC implemented RIPS in 1992 to provide scanned images,
document and docket index data, and history text files for
official records in docketed and rulemaking proceedings from that
time forward.  RIPS also provides the history of proceedings
initiated prior to 1992 but not the images of the actual filings.

Several pre-RIPS docketed proceedings were identified as high
demand proceedings and the paper files were converted to scanned
images.  RIPS currently has over 1.2 million pages of scanned
images.  

RIPS Repair Status

 There has been some confusion and potential for misinformation
regarding the status of the RIPS system.  No information has been
lost from the RIPS database.  The system failure has not impacted
the hard drive on which the scanned images are stored.  All data
and images stored on RIPS prior to the system failure are safe,
secure and will be accessible when the system is restored.
Furthermore, all original filings to Commission proceedings
received by the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) have been coded
and are prepared to be scanned as soon as RIPS is restored.

 
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 At present, the FCC is working with three separate contractors
to identify and locate replacement parts and restore the system
as quickly as possible.  Even as this work continues, the FCC has
conducted maintenance and upgrades to improve the quality of the
RIPS viewing terminals.  For example, the high resolution
monitors that were either broken or hard to view have been
repaired and the hard drives have been scanned for viruses which
were removed when found.  Once RIPS is restored, OPA plans to use
staff and contractors to scan documents 24 hours a day to take
care of the backlog created by this failure. These steps will
prepare the agency to return RIPS to full capacity as soon as
possible. 

Interim Measures to Protect Integrity of Filings

 The FCC has implemented a series of measures to ensure that the
public and agency staff have a complete record of and access to
all filings.  These include the following:

 The Office of the Secretary is maintaining a list of every
docket filing,  RIPS and pre-RIPS, received in that office.  This
list will include only  filings for a specific day, ensuring that
researchers can keep up with current filings.  That list will be
available to the public at the   counter and posted on the
bulletin board in the Office of Public  Affairs (OPA) FCC
Reference Center Room 239 and in OPA's front  office Room 202.

The Reference Operations Division (ROD) is using the Secretary's
list to cross check its own list of filings.  The ROD list, also
available  to the public,  will only include RIPS filings and
will list all documents that  have been prepared for scanning
when the system is restored.
 
The FCC is compiling a list of all proceedings in which comments
were due during the time of the RIPS system failure.  Complete
lists of the parties who commented in these proceedings will be
made available to the public in OPA s FCC Reference Center Room
239, OPA's front  office Room 202 and through the FCC's Internet
site (http://www.fcc.gov). 
 
OPA will endeavor to ensure that the Commission's copy
contractor, International Transcription Services, Incorporated
(ITS), has all docketed filings to satisfy requests from the
public. 

The FCC is encouraging all users of its reference files to
identify any materials they have had trouble locating or any
files they believe to be  incomplete.  These reports should be
made through the Reference Operations Divisions where specific
postings are located.






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Future Planning

Should RIPS have future system failures the FCC will immediately
restore the interim measures identified above and/or any other
measures necessary during this period.  OPA will make every
effort to respond to requests for duplicate copies of docket
filings while RIPS is down and will ensure that all comments
received are scanned and available shortly after the system is
restored. These manual procedures will continue for some period
of time after RIPS operations are restored to help minimize the
possibility of overloading the printing function.

Anyone with suggestions or comments regarding this process is
encouraged to contact the FCC's Office of Public Affairs and
OPA's Reference Operations Division.  Information posted in the
FCC Reference Center Room 239 provides specific ways for the
public to provide feedback.

For additional information, contact Bill Cline at (202)418-0267.


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