FORMS II Lite Software Utilization January 1, 2003

Currently, USEPA personnel and contractors in all ten Regions are trained in the use of FORMS II Lite and have submitted Traffic Report/Chain of Custody (TR/COC) Records generated by using the software. Thirteen state and tribal environmental agencies use it for non-CLP sample paperwork [e.g., Chain of Custody Records (COCs)] as well. Environmental state agencies in NC, SC, OH, IL, MI, MN, UT, TX, NM, MD, NJ, and IN have been trained and submit FORMS II Lite-generated TR/COC Records.

By January 1, 2003, FORMS II Lite will be the standard field documentation tool for the CLP. After this date, the Sample Management Office (SMO) will accept only FORMS II Lite-generated electronic or hardcopy TR/COC Records. TR/COC Records generated by other means (including handwritten TR/COC Records) will not be accepted.

The FORMS II Lite software will be the standard field documentation tool for the CLP because:

The January 1, 2003, deadline provides approximately three months to achieve the goal of full FORMS II Lite software utilization. To facilitate implementation, a list of issues affecting each Region is under development. Some issues to be included are:

Once the list of issues is complete, ASB and the FORMS II Lite team will work together to address these issues and meet the January 1, 2003, implementation deadline.

Last revised October 18, 2002
http://dyncsdao1.fedcsc.com/itg/forms2lite/util.html

Developed and Maintained by CSC for the
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) /
Analytical Services Branch (ASB)
reynolds.eric@epa.gov







		In FY2001, the documentation associated with over 40% of the samples shipped through the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) was generated using FORMS II Lite. FORMS II Lite simplifies and accelerates the sample documentation process, reducing the generation of handwritten documents by almost 70%. Currently, USEPA personnel and contractors in all ten Regions are trained in the use of FORMS II Lite and have submitted Traffic Report/Chain of Custody (TR/COC) Records generated by using the software. Thirteen state and tribal environmental agencies use it for non-CLP sample paperwork [e.g., Chain of Custody Records (COCs)] as well. Environmental state agencies in NC, SC, OH, IL, MI, MN, UT, TX, NM, MD, NJ, and IN have been trained and submit FORMS II Lite-generated TR/COC Records. By January 1, 2003, FORMS II Lite will be the standard field documentation tool for the CLP. After this date, the Sample Management Office (SMO) will accept only FORMS II Lite-generated electronic or hardcopy TR/COC Records. TR/COC Records generated by other means (including handwritten TR/COC Records) will not be accepted. The FORMS II Lite software will be the standard field documentation tool for the CLP because: FORMS II Lite is a proven software package. After years of hard work from the FORMS II Lite team, the sampling community received a field-tested software solution designed to meet evolving sampling needs. Samplers who have invested the effort to learn the FORMS II Lite software consider it to be a time and labor-saving tool. But as with any process change, there are those samplers who are reticent to embrace new technology. For these samplers, the full implementation of the FORMS II Lite software will provide the impetus to utilize the software. FORMS II Lite’s benefits extend to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Via FORMS II LIMS (F2LIMS), data exports from FORMS II Lite can be used to automate a laboratory’s LIMS to save resources and improve data quality. A simple schematic that illustrates the F2LIMS process can be found at http://7928.hypermart.net/r6. In order to realize the benefits of F2LIMS, samplers must use FORMS II Lite. The current F2LIMS Pilot Program with Region II and recent discussions with Region VI's Houston Laboratory have produced encouraging results. In addition, Regions III and IV are conducting F2LIMS Pilot Programs. FORMS II Lite electronic TR/COC Records can be processed at SMO. In anticipation of the January 1, 2003, changeover to full FORMS II Lite utilization, SMO's Scheduling, Tracking, and Reporting (ST&R) Group is diligently working on the infrastructure used to receive and process electronic TR/COC Records. A working prototype is projected to be created by approximately July 2002, and the production infrastructure will be in place by October 1, 2002. In addition, other value-added features will be bundled into the infrastructure to bring ST&R automation to the next level. FORMS II Lite reduces paper in the workplace. The Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) mandates that all Federal agencies take full advantage of modern technologies to make the workplace more efficient and less paper-driven. FORMS II Lite will help to accomplish EPA's obligation to eliminate paper. The Web-based Invoicing System (WIS) is another Analytical Services Branch (ASB)-created GPEA system that successfully deployed on November 1, 2001. WIS eliminates paper invoices and reduces the number of disallowed invoices. As a result of WIS usage, SMO has reported that the number of disallowed invoices has been reduced by 28%, as compared to the five months before full software deployment. The combination of ASB’s efforts [i.e., FORMS II Lite, WIS, Electronic Approval System (EASY), Superfund Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD), Analytical Services Tracking System (ANSETS), Computer Aided Data Review and Evaluation (CADRE), and the Data Assessment Tool (DAT)] will allow the CLP to meet this Federal mandate. The January 1, 2003, deadline provides approximately three months to achieve the goal of full FORMS II Lite software utilization. To facilitate implementation, a list of issues affecting each Region is under development. Some issues to be included are: Training for new users. In addition to limited on-site training, the FORMS II Lite team has created Computer-Based Training (CBT) for the FORMS II Lite software. The FORMS II Lite CBT provides a self-paced walkthrough of the software with quizzes and a final exam to measure comprehension. The FORMS II Lite CBT is included on the FORMS II Lite Version 5.1 installation CD. To schedule a training session, contact Eric Reynolds via email at reynolds.eric@epa.gov, or via telephone at 703-603-9928. Compatibility with Windows XP (the Operating System in most late model laptops) and Windows 2000. FORMS II Lite Version 5.1 is now fully compatible with Windows XP and 2000. Exceptions for small sampling events/Adverse scenario when laptop is not available. FORMS II Lite can be used at any size sampling event. Using FORMS II Lite facilitates the event by automating many of the manual procedures associated with documenting sample collection activities including the completion of sample tags, sample labels, and chain-of-custody records. FORMS II Lite also reduces the turnaround time for backend data processors (laboratories, etc.). User-friendly features in FORMS II Lite. FORMS II Lite Version 5.1 is the most user-friendly version of the software to date, with features allowing the user to transfer data among PCs, track additional measurements data, and customize more settings. Comments from users are always welcome. Please feel free to contact the FORMS II Lite team directly with recommendations for the FORMS II Lite software. Once the list of issues is complete, ASB and the FORMS II Lite team will work together to address these issues and meet the January 1, 2003, implementation deadline. [ FORMS II Lite Home ] [ EPA Home \| OSRTI Home \| Superfund Home \| CLP Home ] [ Search EPA \| Search Superfund \| Contact Us ] Last revised October 18, 2002 http://dyncsdao1.fedcsc.com/itg/forms2lite/util.html Developed and Maintained by CSC for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / Analytical Services Branch (ASB) reynolds.eric@epa.gov