HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION
Network Technical Control Center (NTCC)
Single-Site Facility (SSF) Network Support
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is the primary Federal
agency responsible for administering the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
It promotes the timely and economic delivery of appropriate quality health
care to eligible beneficiaries, promotes beneficiary awareness of the
services for which they are eligible, improves access to those services,
and promotes efficiency and quality within the total health care delivery
system. To support these goals, HCFA oversees Medicare contractor and
State agency operations, develops health care financing policy, and provides
data and resources to support the Department's Medical Treatment Effectiveness
Program.
HCFA was mandated by Congress to consolidate its staff (at that time occupying ten buildings in the greater Baltimore, Maryland area) into a single-site facility (SSF). Conwal was selected to assist HCFA with construction of an integrated Network Technical Control Center (NTCC) at the new HCFA SSF in Baltimore County, Maryland. Conwal supplied the necessary equipment, software, and systems integration services to successfully complete the construction.
Conwal assisted HCFA in determining the best design and mix of equipment required to combine communications, dial-up and T1 services, Network Management, monitoring, and control into one facility. Initially, Conwal verified design parameters and specifics, and researched equipment and connectivity issues.
Phase1: Design and Verification
Phase 1 was an analysis phase designed to verify requirements as defined
and to further refine system, equipment, vendor, and pricing issues. Conwal
chose a Digital Matrix Switch to control line-flow, selected high-tech
modems, multiplexers, and analyzers, and planned and designed basic physical
and mechanical/electrical layouts.
Phase 2: Installation
During this phase, plans were converted to action steps. Equipment and
supplies were ordered, vendors contacted, purchase orders issued, and
technical employees assigned to work at the SSF. Conwal personnel installed
communications equipment, power supplies, fans, cables, and other computer
peripherals in 50+ equipment cabinets. Conwal personnel also ran underground
cables throughout the facility and installed signal LED signboards, electronic
white boards, and interactive video system, and software to support this
equipment. Conwal personally supervised the selection and purchase of
Control Center Consoles and support cabinetry. Conwal coordinated the
location of AMP floor modules, grounding, and rack connections.
Phase 3: Planning and Integration
Conwal provided for item-by-item installation and testing, configuration
and end-to-end testing of the Digital Matrix Switch and its associated
components. Conwal also provided for Network testing, coordination of
line switchovers, and provided OJT and technical documentation as required.
Conwal created SOPs, a Master Test Plan, a Manual Reference Library, and
provided HCFA with formal training delivered by vendor representatives.
Conwal provided a computerized Cable Management System, an inventory of
supplies, equipment, spares, and software which graphically describes
system design, layout, connectivity, and status. The resources provided
by Conwal will be used to provide the means for managing, controlling,
and troubleshooting HCFA's wide area networking facilities and to facilitate
the management and control of the SSF LAN environment .
