Q. Why can’t we process more than 10K retirements a month? The answer involves a tricycle…

Leave a CommentQ. Why can’t we process more than 10K retirements a month? The answer involves a tricycle…Efficiency, Government

This mine in Pennsylvania, located in Boyers, is where the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) processes federal employee retirement records.

Location and History:

  • Boyers, Pennsylvania: Situated approximately 45 miles north of Pittsburgh, this facility is housed in an old limestone mine, known for its use by Iron Mountain Incorporated, a global management and storage service provider. The mine has been operational for record storage since the government started using it in 1960.

Use for Retirement Records:

  • Retirement Processing: Federal employee retirement applications are processed manually at this facility. Around 700+ employees work 230 feet underground to handle approximately 10,000 applications per month. The process involves manually sorting, verifying, and storing records in manila envelopes and cardboard boxes.

Other Contents and Uses:

The government didn’t want you to know about Iron Mountain, the sprawling, underground limestone mine where federal records are kept. Employees describe it like “An underground city.”

  • Historical Records: Apart from retirement records, the mine has served various purposes:
    • Film Storage: It holds Hollywood movie reels, including archives of major motion picture companies.
    • Photographic Archives: Collections like those from Corbis are stored here for preservation.
    • Government Records: Besides OPM records, other government agencies like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Archives use the facility for storing original records, patents, and other sensitive documents.
    • Financial Records: In the past, microfilmed records of financial transactions from banks and other institutions were stored here to protect against disaster.
  • Data Centers: The mine also houses data centers. Iron Mountain has expanded into this area, offering secure storage for digital data, particularly for clients requiring high security and climate control for their data storage needs. This includes records from various sectors, including government, health, and finance.
  • Security and Climate Control: The mine’s natural environment provides a cool, stable climate, which is ideal for long-term document preservation. Additionally, it offers a high level of security due to its underground location, making it resistant to natural disasters, theft, or unauthorized access.

Modernization Efforts:

  • Despite the analog nature of the retirement processing, there have been attempts to modernize. However, as of the latest reports, the process remains largely manual due to past failures in digitization efforts, which have cost significant amounts without delivering the expected outcomes.

This facility represents a blend of old and new methods for data management, highlighting both the challenges and the unique solutions in government record-keeping.

DOGE! Do the Efficiency Thing!