EAC Announces Intention to Suspend SysTest Labs

[mod mom]

http://www.eac.gov/News/eac-announces-intention-to-suspend-systest-labs/base_view

For Immediate Release
10/29/2008

Contact:
Jeannie Layson, Sarah Litton
[phone]

EAC Announces Intention to Suspend SysTest Labs
Follows Action Taken by National Institute of Standards and Technology

WASHINGTON, DC . The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today notified SysTest Laboratories Inc. of its intent to suspend the laboratory.s accreditation based upon actions taken by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

* EAC letter to SysTest: http://www.eac.gov/program-areas/voting-systems/docs/eac-notice-of-intent-to-suspend-ltr-systest-final.pdf/attachment_download/file

* NIST letter to SysTest: http://www.eac.gov/extlnk/lnkframehead.htm?http%3A//vote.nist.gov/NVLAP/SysTest-102808.pdf

SysTest is one of five laboratories that were accredited by the EAC to test voting systems under the EAC.s voluntary program. The EAC accredited SysTest on February 21, 2007 based on a recommendation from NIST.

NIST suspended SysTest due to numerous non-conformities with the NIST Handbook 150-22 Voting System Testing, which sets forth the procedures, requirements and guidance for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories by the National Voting Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). Non-conformities included failure to create and validate test methods, improper documentation of testing and unqualified personnel.

Section 2.4 of EAC.s Voting System Test Laboratory Program Manual requires all voting system test laboratories to hold .a valid accreditation from NIST/NVLAP.. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Manual, the EAC today notified SysTest of the Commission.s intent to suspend its accreditation. SysTest has three days to respond to the EAC.s action. If SysTest cannot refute the NIST suspension, the EAC will suspend SysTest requiring the laboratory to immediately halt all testing under the EAC program.

As a result of NIST.s action, the EAC program director will issue notification informing manufacturers of their right to request a change of test laboratory in accordance with the EAC program manual.

[mod mom]

1. Relevant Background:

August 15, 2008 at 19:02:18
Headlined on 8/15/08:
SysTest Labs under Fire for Shoddy Methods & Collusion with Vendors

by Rady Ananda Page 1 of 1 page(s)


SysTest Labs, LLC, one of four federal testing labs responsible for certifying our nation's voting systems, is under investigation for failing to document or validate its test methods. The lab is also accused of using unqualified personnel to run these highly technical tests. Emails from the lab indicate possible collusion with voting system vendor, ES&S, whereby SysTest's "test approach takes into consideration" actions that will "ensure certification" of the M650 and M100 optical scanners.




An August 8, 2008 letter from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and SysTest details these issues:

"In addition, there were instances discovered where testing was performed by personnel who had not been qualified to perform the testing."

The NIST letter goes on to report another, more serious violation:

"nother issue has surfaced which may be interpreted as improper behavior between an independent testing laboratory and its client. This issue is documented in a letter from the EAC ... dated July 25, 2008. The letter cites a situation ... where SysTest may be 'allowing and inviting manufacturers to play an inappropriate role in the development of test plans' which "would be a significant violation" of ISO and NIST rules, "and as such could affect SysTest's accreditation status."

On July 16th, Ron Thomas of SysTest sent an email to Election Systems & Software (ES&S) regarding the ongoing certification of two of ES&S' optical scan voting systems being used in Ohio, by setting the goals of speedy tests and ensuring certification. On July 25th, the EAC took exception to Thomas' email that:

"contains language in which SysTest sets a goal 'to ensure certification' of manufacturer's system. This statement may be read as an inappropriate promise of certification."

-snip
http://www.opednews.com/articles/SysTest-Labs-under-Fire-Fo-by-Rady-Ananda-080815-39.html

[mod mom]

2. EXEC SUMMARY REPORT THAT SYSTEST LABS DID FOR OHIO SOS:

HERE IS THE EXEC SUMMARY REPORT THAT SYSTEST LABS DID FOR OHIO SOS:

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/upload/everest/16-SysTestFinalExecSummReport.pdf

[Wilms]

3. But, but, but...that'll delay the full roll-out of computerized vote counting in NY. OMG!

:sarcasm:

[Bill Bored]

4. Uh, yeah. nt

[Wilms]

5. NYSBOE Statement Regarding Voting System Certification

Heh-heh.

NYSBOE Statement Regarding Voting System Certification

ALBANY, NY (10/29/08)

Today the State Board has been advised by the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it intends to suspended SysTest Labs accreditation to work as a Voting System Test Lab for “failing to comply with program requirements”.

In view of this pending critical decision by the EAC and the fact that the contractual engagement between SysTest Labs and the State Board requires that all voting system certification testing be performed by an accredited Voting System Test Lab, the State Board is forced to consider suspending the voting system certification effort related to New York.

The State Board assures New York voters that the November 4th General Election will not be impacted by this development as this potential suspension does not affect any voting system currently in use in New York.

(.pdf) http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/hava/NYSBOE_SYSTEST_STATEMENT.pdf