Eforms Update - 01/15/2016

Howard Law

DarthVader

Marksman
Mar 25, 2015
1,175
390
113
Henry County
Zip code
30253
Good Afternoon:

You are receiving this email because you are a registered eForms user



ATF eForms Update



The new eForms has been named the “Firearms and Explosives Application Module (FEAM)”. This name was selected to emphasis that FEAM is more than a “fillable form”. It is a business process module which will include at a minimum the functionality listed below:



· Auto assignment – All applications will be immediately upon submission assigned to an examiner for processing.

· Auto approval – Some forms, like the ATF Forms 2 and 3, if they meet certain pre-determined criteria will be automatically approved by the FEAM system upon submission.

· Internal controls and performance measurement reporting – ATF has a full audit trail of every application received with date and time stamps for every step in the process. Digital signatures can be used to lock down portions of the form to ensure the security of the data and the authenticity of the submitter.

· Improved business processes with automatic Records Management & Retention, as mandated by the Office of Management and Budget.

· Electronic Signature (for submitter and ATF personnel) - provides enhanced authentication, validation and improves processing and approval.

· Enhance Industry satisfaction: user-friendly interaction.

· FEAM provides the Application Program Interface (APIs) needed to update the existing ATF back end databases, to allow for the batch submission of multiple forms using one computer session.

· Improves efficiency for the Enforcement Programs and Services staff – Forms can be automatically routed, evaluated and tracked so that final determinations can be made in a consistent and expeditious manner.

We had hoped to be able to present the first iteration of FEAM at the 2016 SHOT Show. ATF performed an assessment of what was contracted to be developed for FEAM and what the contractor planned to deliver. At the end of the assessment, all parties involved felt that the product outlined in the current contract did not fully provide all the functionality that we expected, or that the industry requested. For these reasons we decided that rather than to continue on the current course, we would take the steps listed below to ensure that FEAM is a worthwhile investment for both the industry and ATF:



1. Curtail the current development effort.

2. Determine what is needed to sustain the existing eForms system, until the full requirements for FEAM can be determined and developed.

3. Make the necessary changes to eForms to stabilize the infrastructure with the ever-increasing user population.

4. Determine if we can re-introduce the Form 3 to the current eForms, through load testing and other system validations.

5. Perform an assessment of the ATF and industry requirements for FEAM.

6. Secure required funding for a new FEAM initiative, based on the revised requirements.

7. Restart the FEAM initiative, to include industry participation during the requirements gathering and testing processes.

We look at this as only a minor delay. It is our intention to use this delay to acquire the tools and resources necessary to develop a product that will provide more functionality and a stable workflow process and infrastructure. All the work previously done on FEAM is not lost. It will be the foundation for the work that is yet to come. If you have any questions you can contact Lee Alston-Williams atlee.alston-williams@atf.gov.
 

Cudruln

Turning dollars into pennies.
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
4,337
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Rockmart, GA
Zip code
30153
Interesting. So they are finally starting to want to stream line the process for tax stamps, if I read that correctly
 
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DarthVader

Marksman
Mar 25, 2015
1,175
390
113
Henry County
Zip code
30253
Interesting. So they are finally starting to want to stream line the process for tax stamps, if I read that correctly
Well, sort of. Looks like form 3's will eventually go to automatic approval, which is pretty awesome. I'm not sure if automatic assignment of for 4's will expedite the process or not. But none of it really matters, since they still can't get the darn thing to work.
 
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Cudruln

Turning dollars into pennies.
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
4,337
4,579
113
Rockmart, GA
Zip code
30153
So pretty much just saying the dealer can get automatic approval. We need automatic approval for the buyer
 

boss_hawg

Marksman
Jul 13, 2015
1,230
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Zip code
30328
I got this email and my first thought was that they said "fuck it, we'll never get this system working right."

then again, that may have been the administration's intentions all along.
 
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Strider12

Sniper
Lifetime Supporter
Mar 25, 2015
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Atlanta
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Wallace

Tracker
Trusted Trader
Mar 26, 2015
828
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Cartersville
Zip code
30145
So pretty much just saying the dealer can get automatic approval. We need automatic approval for the buyer

That will happen only AFTER 41P is past its start date. No way they will speed things along BEFORE then. That would be too helpful.
 
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