Information Systems Office

I n f o r m at i o n Sy st em s Of f i c e

(From left) Systems Administrator Michael C. Villacrusis, ARPA Information Systems Assistant Kristine D. Laurio, Computer Specialist Jorale James Mendoza, and ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio N. Francia

From March 2018 through the 1st quarter of 2021, ISU continued to provided support services to multiple alternate sites while the Guma' Hustisia was in the final phases of reopening. Constant relocation of personnel, courtroom settings, department operations, and public services continued to be the norm for the ISU during this period. The demand for ISU assistance in relocation only increased as areas in the Guma' Hustisia were released for occupancy during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year. Though there continued to be government-wide budget cuts and austerity measures, ARPA--just like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020--became a saving grace in light of a dire situation. Funding under ARPA allowed for the increase of man hours in the ISU to cope with the high demands of relocation assistance and allowed for the addition of two personnel during the 4th quarter of 2021. Additionally, funds under ARPA will supplement the Judiciary?s budget for needed technology projects The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the daily operations of the NMI Judiciary and the ISU with several measures implemented to accommodate both continuity of operations and safety for personnel and the public. With the end of this global disaster not yet in sight and in preparation for future disasters, technology projects have been planned to accommodate these needs. Social distancing, teleworking, and virtual capabilities has become the norm and projects to promote such measures were initiated in the latter half of 2021..

REL OCAT I ON

Similar to 2020, ISU spent the better part of 2021 in relocation initiatives brought about by the final phases of the HVAC and Mold Remediation Project, the Guma' Hustisia Home Coming Project, ARPA hiring, and COVID-19 response efforts to accommodate the needs of different departments to ensure continued judicial services. As the HVAC and Mold Remediation Project near completion, most areas of the Guma' Hustisia were shut down and personnel were relocated to alternate locations. All offices that were affected also had to be stripped down of any equipment which was surveyed or safely stored. To meet COVID-19 guidelines, additional relocation efforts had to be made to accommodate social distancing and lessen in person contact. The Guma' Hustisia HomeComing significantly increased the demand for ISU assistance in relocation. This project outlines the return of department offices from alternate sites to areas of the Guma Hustisia that were cleared and turned over for occupancy. The FY2022 budget, along with ARPA funding, allowed for the reestablishment of positions and the hiring of new staff. This influx of personnel required the ISU office to relocate or install additional equipment to meet the needs of each department. CARES Act Computer Specialist Mark Hidalgo organizing equipment at the Guma' Hustisia Atrium during office relocations.

The ISU has regularly had a two-person team with a Systems Administrator and a Computer Specialist. These positions are currently held by Michael Villacrusis, Systems Administrator and Jorale Mendoza, Computer Specialist. Under the CARES Act, three temporary positions were provided to the ISU in the 4th quarter of 2020. Mark Hidalgo, CARES Act Computer Specialist worked under the ISU through January 2021 and later filled a position under the Building Maintenance Office. He has since accepted a systems analyst position with the Superior Court, Clerk of Courts Office where he has put the skill acquired under ISU to use. In the early part of 2021, Mark assisted with relocation efforts, technical support to alternate sites and virtual hearing support. Currently, under the Superior Court, Clerk of Courts Officem, he has assisted the ISU as an additional IT professional that can assist in their office. Under ARPA, two FTEs joined the ISU in the 4th quarter of 2021, Kristine Laurio, ARPA Information Systems Assistant and Rogelio Francia, ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist. Aside from daily tasks with technical support, equipment configurations, and equipment relocation; Kristine has been assisting in procurement and reporting efforts, while Rogelio has been concentrating on the Judiciary?s web site development. These additional hands in the ISU have been the major factor that has allowed projects to move forward and issues with technology within the Judiciary to be resolved

l-r: Michael Villacrusis, Kristine Laurio, Jorale Mendoza, and Rogelio Francia

A RPA PROJECT S

Funding under ARPA has supplemented the Judiciary?s fiscal budget for projects that are allowable under the program. Though many of these projects are still in their planning and infancy stages, listed below are the current ARPA projects:

E-Cour ts Pr oj ec t While this project is currently in its infancy phase with project planning and market research being conducted through 2021, the project?s goal is to update the Judiciary?s case management system to a web-based system allowing for a more robust environment. This would provide a system that would give the Judiciary additional capabilities to function during a disaster such as a pandemic without having to mobilize additional equipment. In addition, this update would provide enhance security and online capabilities that the current system lacks.

Computer Specialist Jorale Mendoza setting up a work station at the Guma Hustisia for the Homecoming Project.

E-Rec or di ng Pr oj ec t This project is currently going through the final phases of the procurement process so certain details cannot be disclosed. The general purpose of this project is to provide an E-Recording System that will allow the recording of documents with the Commonwealth Recorder?s Office and access to these documents online.

Br oadband Infr as tr uc tur e Pr oj ec t The goal of this project is to provide fast and reliable internet service to the end users, the Judiciary staff, through a series of equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Project planning and market research was conducted in 2021 and a road map for the project has been developed by ISU. A request for quote for fiber optic internet service was sent to the vendor and proposals have been received. Market research and procurement for other equipment needs will continue into 2022 as well as the development of a scope of work for the internal network backbone for the Guma' Hustisia.

Cour t Tec hnol ogy Pr oj ec t Creating an advanced hybrid courtroom that can accommodate both conventional and virtual hearings is a huge undertaking. This is especially true here on the islands where the lack of resources drives project pricing. This project is in the infancy phase and currently undergoing project planning and market research. Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis was able to attend the 2021 Court Technology Conference to bring back information on the latest technology being utilized by courthouses in other jurisdictions and the latest technology offerings by vendors at the conference.

Cour t Cal endar Vi deo Wal l and Si gnage Pr oj ec t To better disseminate information within the NMI Judiciary courthouses in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, this project is broken down into four phases: the main video wall for court calendars and announcement in the atrium of the Guma Hustisia, the digital signage outside each courtroom for dedicated calendars and language access information, Tinian courthouse display, and Rota courthouse display. The procurement process for the video wall was conducted late 2021, but due to shipping delays, project completion has been moved to January 2022. Project planning, market research, and quote request has been conducted; a purchase order has gone out in January 2022. The Rota and Tinian projects are currently undergoing quote requests.

Depar tment of Cor r ec ti ons Vi deo Confer enc e Pr oj ec t This project provides virtual capabilities between the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the NMI Judiciary to conduct virtual hearings. Equipment for this project has been configured and provided by the Judiciary to DOC and has been installed by DOC personnel. The system is currently in use as of December 2021, but the project has not been completed. Project completion is pending an anti-ligature housing to be provide by the Judiciary.

Guma? Hus ti s i a Tr ai ni ng Room The Pacific Judicial Council (PJC) will be providing the Judiciary with four laptops for virtual training purposes. To better make use of these equipment a project has been launched to revamp the training room on the 2nd floor of the Guma' Hustisia. ARPA funds will be utilized to make improvements to the space and provide additional equipment for virtual training activities. Steps have been taken in 2021 to renovate the space, acquire furniture and incorporate additional technology for use. The laptops from PJC has been delayed and is expect to be available early 2022 due to shortages and shipping.

J udi c i ar y Webs i te Dev el opment

ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio (?Vhoie?) Francia designs and codes the new website.

Development of a new NMI Judiciary website with a Dot GOV Domain is underway. The project was started in the 4th quarter of 2021 with Rogelio Francia, ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist, providing inhouse expertise in the design and coding of the new website. The project will update the look and information of the site and provide updated forms and a payment portal. Completion of this project is scheduled for end of the 1st quarter of 2022.

Laptops and Other Tec hnol ogy Equi pment Aside from the purpose specific projects under ARPA, several equipment purchases are in the planning stages, underway, or completed. Listed below are some updates on this equipment: Laptops: 60 laptops were procured under ARPA and was delivered late December. These laptops are planned to be distributed after all configurations and updates have been completed. The intended purpose for this procurement is to provide equipment to ARPA personnel and other Judiciary personnel that do not have laptops or have outdated equipment. Scanners: 30 scanners were procured under ARPA and have been delivered as of mid-January 2022. Distribution is currently ongoing. Scanners have been provided to ARPA scanning position on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as well as alternate scanning sites. The purpose of these equipment is to digitize court documents to be made available online, promoting less in person contact. Video Conferencing Equipment: Additional video conferencing cameras, web cams, and speakers have been procured or are in the procurement process. This additional equipment is for the enhancement of the Judiciary?s virtual capabilities. Copiers: Project is currently in the planning stages. Printers: Project is currently in the planning stages. Digital Recording Equipment: Project is currently in the planning stages.

Kotten Ti ni an & Centr on Hus ti s i a Projects mentioned above include some updates in technology for the Tinian and Rota courthouses. Other projects directly for these locations include the installation of security camera systems on both islands which are accessible online. This system will capture recordings of courthouse activities for general security and can be used for contact tracing purposes. Additional screens are also being procured to promote virtual capabilities and contactless information dissemination.

ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio (?Vhoie?) Francia and ARPA Information Systems Assistant Kristine Laurio programming the 60 laptops procured for ARPA and other Judiciary personnel

O T H E R P R O J E C T S

Guma Hus ti s i a Sec ur i ty Camer a Pr oj ec t This project has been an ongoing project that has met several difficulties. The project was initiated after the Department of Homeland Security released a ban on the installation of several security camera brands in federal buildings. While the Judiciary?s security system was due for an upgrade, this ban was an opportunity to completely revamp the system to allow for future proofing. The project called for the installation of a entirely new system that was within the federal government standards and would utilize networking technology instead of analog. The first major hurdle was finding a system that would meet the standards. Project planning and market research took several months and being in our physical location provided its own challenges in vendor availability and equipment supplies. Further issues that have been delaying this project involve global issues such as computer chip shortages, supply chain issues, and closures in different manufacturing sectors. The project is still ongoing.

Di gi tal Rec or der Upgr ade Pr oj ec t Currently, four updated digital recorders have been purchased and installed in the Superior Court under local funds and CARES Act funds. Two additional units are on order, but due to world-wide computer chip shortages, manufacturing closures, and supply line issues, these units have not yet been delivered. These units will be installed in the remaining Superior Court courtroom and in the Supreme Court courtroom. Plans to outfit the Rota and Tinian courthouse are also underway.

Guma' Hus ti s i a Bui l di ng Wi de Wi -Fi Pr oj ec t Funded under both the local funds and ARPA funds, this project aims to distribute a unified Wi-Fi system throughout the Guma' Hustisia through the installation of access points and a centralized controller. The project provides additional broadband access to a wider range of users without the need for additional lines and installations. Having a centralized control system also stream lines maintenance and management while providing additional security. This project was completed on September 2022.

Installation of security camera monitors at the Marshal Service Office.

2021 Cour t Tec hnol ogy Confer enc e (CTC) The 2021 CTC was held in Columbus, Ohio on September 27-29, 2021. The last CTC the NMI Judiciary participated in was in 2017. After 4 years, the Judiciary was able to send Michael Villacrusis, Systems Administrator to another CTC. This conference focuses on new technology available to the courts system and provides an opportunity for court professionals to link with vendors and experts in the field.

J udi c i ar y Pr ofes s i onal Dev el opment Confer enc e The ISU was in charge of equipment logistics, setup and coordination with venue technicians for the Conference. It was also tasked with two presentations. Systems Administratior Michael Villacrusis presented on the Court Technology Strategic Plan and Rogelio Francia presented on the Judiciary?s Rebranding. Rogelio Francia also served as the official photographer for this event.

Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis attended 2021 CTC held in Columbus, Ohio.

ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio Francia presents on the Judiciary Branding. Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis presents on the Court Technology Strategic Plan at the 2021 Professional Development Conference.