General FORMS II Lite Software Questions

Where can I obtain support for the software?

The FORMS II Lite software Help Desk is open from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday. You can contact the Help Desk via phone at 703-818-4200 or, via email at f2lite@fedcsc.com.

Do I have the most recent version of the FORMS II Lite software?

To identify which version of the FORMS II Lite software you are currently running, select the "About FORMS II Lite" option from the Help Menu. Any updates to the FORMS II Lite software are available in the Software Updates section of this site.

How can I schedule a training session on the use of the FORMS II Lite software?

If you are interested in scheduling a training session, contact Eric Reynolds via email at reynolds.eric@epa.gov or via telephone at 703-603-9928. You can view a list of upcoming training sessions on the Training page of this Web site.

Where can I obtain the FORMS II Lite User's Guide?

The User's Guide is available for download in the Document Library section of this Web site. However, this is a very large file. Users without high-speed Internet access may wish to request a hardcopy version of the User's Guide via the Help Desk, or call the FORMS II Lite software Help Desk at 703-818-4200.

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Obtaining FORMS II Lite/Licensing

How can I obtain a copy of the FORMS II Lite software?

To request a copy of the FORMS II Lite software, send an email to f2lite@fedcsc.com, or call the FORMS II Lite software Help Desk at 703-818-4200.

The Federal project for which I was using the FORMS II Lite software has been completed.  Can I now use the software for other projects?

Using the free copy of the FORMS II Lite software for any project that is not being performed for, or by, a Federal agency is a direct violation of the FORMS II Lite software licensing agreement. Contact the FORMS II Lite software Help Desk for more information on obtaining a license for non-Federal Government use.

Can we use one CD for everyone in my office/company?

You can install a single copy of the FORMS II Lite software on multiple PCs only if the software will be used for a project being performed for, or by, a Federal agency. When purchasing the software for non-Federal Government use, each CD includes a license for use on a single PC. Purchasing one license and installing it on multiple machines would be a violation of the licensing agreement.

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Operation of the Software

How do I proceed to the next step in FORMS II Lite software if I do not know the Station Location or any other required fields (labeled in red)?

If a required data element field is unknown at the time of data entry, the user can either type the word "Unknown" or pad the field with a generic number or character. The user can later return to edit those fields before printing any documentation.

Is there a way I can view a summary of the information I have entered so far?

Yes. The QuickView first appears in Step 4 and is available in each successive step. The QuickView feature provides the user with a tabular summary of all the information currently entered for that site. Users may filter and sort either the data fields or columns. 

Why do I have to customize my labels?

The FORMS II Lite software is intended to aid field samplers in all ten EPA Regions, and can also be used on non-EPA sampling events. In order to accommodate the wide range of different requirements, users must specify the type of label to be used, the fields that will appear on the label, any other information present on the label, and the organizational structure of the data on the label. If you always use the same basic label format, you only need to specify this information once, and save it as your default label template.

Is there a way to print sample tags? 

If sample tags are required, print the information needed onto labels that will fit on the tags being used at the sampling event. Print out your labels and apply them to the paper tags. Note: It is recommended that you use waterproof ink or place clear tape over the labels to protect them.

How do I enter the actual "Sample Date/Time" on labels if they were created prior to going into the field?

If the labels have not already been printed, the user can go back into the application at any time and edit their entries. Alternatively, labels can be printed out with known information and a placeholder for "Sample Date/Time" on the labels. Then, the sampler can simply write in the information as samples are collected.

I have misspelled the site name in Step 1, but have already printed out all of my documentation. Can I just manually strike through the site name on the documentation, write in the new name, and initial the correction? 

YES!  If it is easier to make corrections to your documentation in this fashion, by all means, do it! However, if the electronic data will also be used, make sure you go back and make the correction in the program, as well.

How do I indicate which samples are duplicates?

Choose the "Field Duplicate" option in the Sample Type combo-box in Step 4. You may also type in a more descriptive label in this box. If you wish to make any comments about the duplicate sample (e.g., what location this is a duplicate of), use the Sampler's Comments field at the bottom of this step to enter that information. The Sampler Comments report (available within the Print/Preview TR Screen) will display the information from the comments fields.

I want to keep an electronic record of the Traffic Report/Chain of Custody (TR/COC) form I just sent. How can I keep an electronic copy of the TR/COC form that will not change if somebody makes changes to my site in the FORMS II Lite software?

Use the "Archive TR" feature in the Print/Preview TR Step of the software. This basically takes a snapshot of the TR/COC form. Check the Show Archived TRs check-box to show a list of the TR/COC form you have archived, including the date and time of archival. You can also export the TR/COC form as an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file using the Export TR button.

The option I want to select is not currently available in the drop-down box. How can I add it?

You can add and modify most of the drop-down box selections in the software using the Reference Tables feature in the Customize Menu Wizard located on the Main Menu bar. After you use the Customize Menu Wizard, you must close it in order for the updated Customize Menu to appear.

I have worked on several very large sites, and I have noticed that the FORMS II Lite software is beginning to run very slowly.  How can I fix this? 

First, try to use the "Repair Database" function on the Tools Menu. This cleans up and compacts the database and should help with performance issues. If the program still runs slowly, you may need to export some of the larger sites to .F2L files for storage elsewhere, and then delete them from the program. You will still be able to access them as .F2L files that can be reloaded if you need the information at a later date.

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Questions about the CLP

Are the addresses listed for CLP laboratories in the FORMS II Lite software correct?

The laboratory information present in the FORMS II Lite software is updated before each release. However, laboratory information may have changed since the last release of the FORMS II Lite software. If you would like to check or obtain information regarding CLP laboratories, the Laboratory Address List is available for download from the CLP Web site.

Can we re-use our CLP Sample Numbers?

CLP Sample Numbers should be obtained from your Regional Sample Control Center Coordinator (RSCC). Sample Numbers should not be re-used unless otherwise directed by the RSCC.

I am in Step 5 and the program will not accept the CLP Sample Numbers that end with a letter.  What is wrong?

You are probably trying to use old CLP Sample Numbers. New numbers without letters at the end are now being used.  Contact your RSCC to obtain new numbers.

How can I indicate that my Case is complete?

You can indicate that the Case is complete by double-clicking on the TR/COC form in the Print/Preview TRs Step. Doing this will place a "Y" in the box in the lower left-hand corner of the TR/COC form that reads "Shipment for Case Complete?".

Where do I specify the Laboratory Quality Control (QC) sample type (i.e., Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate (MS/MSD)?

The Laboratory QC type can be specified in Step 5 once samples are assigned. Use the Laboratory QC type field column to enter in the desired QC type. Clicking on this field will provide a drop-down menu containing options from which you can select, or you can type a different value into this box.

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Use on Non-CLP Sites

Can the FORMS II Lite software be used for non-CLP purposes?

Yes it can!

I am sampling a site that has both CLP and non-CLP cases.  How can I distinguish between the two?

If you have a non-CLP Case Number you would like to input, you can put this number in the DAS Number field in Step 1. Both the Case Number and the DAS Number are printed on TR/COC forms.

Can I remove the EPA logo from my Traffic Report/Chain of Custody (TR/COC) forms?

At this time, the FORMS II Lite software does not allow for removal of the EPA logo from the TR/COC forms.  This is something we are looking into for future versions of the software. 

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