Next Gov.com is reporting that a stimulus project to replace the aging Social Security Administration data center is more than six months behind schedule due to a disagreement over where to locate the upgraded computer facility.

A new building is needed to support the new technology that will be implemented to handle the rise in benefit applications due to Baby Boomers. The project received $500 million from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The dispute arises over whether to buy land to build the new data center or to use land that the SSA already owns.

Officials plan to buy land by December 2010 with construction on the data center completed by 2013.