Commerce Acquisition Manual 1313.370-01 [March 27, 2004]{.underline}

# Department of Commerce

**Competitive Sourcing Policy and Procedures**

Section 1 -- Commerce Competitive Sourcing Program Overview

> 1.1 Program Introduction
>
> 1.2 Policy and Purpose
>
> 1.3 Definitions
>
> 1.4 Management Roles and Responsibilities
>
> 1.5 Operational Roles and Responsibilities

Section 2 -- Operational Guidance and Procedures

2.1 Planning

2.  Competitions

3.  Implementation of Competitive Sourcing Decisions

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4.  Post Competition Accountability

Attachments:

A. Definitions

> B. Operational Roles and Responsibilities
>
> C. Delegation of Major A-76 Responsibilities

Section 1 \-- Commerce Competitive Sourcing Program Overview

**1.1 Program Introduction**

Competitive sourcing helps to ensure that citizens receive the maximum
value from their tax dollars by subjecting commercial activities to the
forces of competition. The policy and procedures for executing
public-private competitions are contained in the Office of Management
Budget (OMB) Circular A-76, Performance of Commercial Activities, May
29, 2003 (the "Circular").

The Circular provides a standardized, structured process for determining
the most efficient and cost effective method of performance for
commercial activities. This competitive process allows government
managers to make sound business decisions based on cost comparison
determinations -- regardless of "who" performs the work.

**1.2 Policies and Purpose**

#### Policies

1.  The objectives of the Department of Commerce (DOC) Competitive
    Sourcing program are to:

    a.  Support DOC's mission by using the Circular as a management tool

    b.  Be fair to DOC employees

    c.  Improve efficiency of each targeted function

    d.  Plan, manage and perform competitions efficiently and
        effectively

    e.  Provide the best value to tax payers

2.  Wherever practical, DOC will use competition to encourage
    improvement in Department operations with the objective of enhancing
    quality, economy, and performance.

3.  The Department will employ a defensible, repeatable methodology for
    identifying potential competitions, nominating potential
    competitions candidates, analyzing nominated candidates for
    competitions, feasibility, executing competitions, and implementing
    the results.

4.  DOC operating units will use the provisions of the Circular, these
    guidelines and procedures, the FAR, and other appropriate
    regulations and internal directives in conducting its competitions,
    and will ensure that the Department's overall mission requirements
    and strategic objectives are met.

5.  All competitions will be conducted in a fair, responsible, and
    equitable manner, providing all players with a level and objective
    playing field and ensuring no foregone conclusions will dictate the
    outcome of any competition.

6.  The Department will work to ensure that government personnel,
    customers and key stakeholders are kept apprised of its competitive
    sourcing actions and decisions.

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B.  **Purpose:** The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and
    procedures for implementation of the Circular and DOC Competitive
    Sourcing policies.

**1.3 Definitions** (See Attachment A)

**1.4 Management Roles and Responsibilities**

A.  **Competitive Sourcing Official (CSO):** The Chief Financial
    Officer/Assistant Secretary for Administration (CFO/ASA) is
    designated as the Department's CSO, and is responsible for
    implementing the Circular. Specific CSO responsibilities include:

    1.  Obtaining prior written OMB approval before deviating from the
        Circular.

    2.  Approving in writing the cancellation of a streamlined or
        standard competition.

    3.  Granting time limit waivers, before the announcement of each
        standard competition, allowing a specific standard competition
        to exceed the 12-month time limit by no more than 6 months, for
        a maximum of 18 months from public announcement to performance
        decision.

    4.  Obtaining prior written approval from OMB to use performance
        periods that exceed five years (excluding the phase-in period).

    5.  Approving, in writing, the use of a tradeoff source selection
        process (if used) and forwarding a copy of the approval to OMB.

    6.  Approving termination of the service provider for failure to
        perform.

    7.  If no responsive, responsible offers are received from private
        or public reimbursable sources, making a written determination
        to either revise the solicitation or implement the agency
        tender. Consulting with Deputy Director of OMB if solicitation
        revision is chosen and would result in exceeding established
        time limit for the standard competition.

    8.  Deciding appeals to FAIR Act inventory challenge decisions.

        See Attachment C, Delegation of Major A-76 Responsibilities for
        a more complete list of CSO responsibilities (including those
        that have been redelegated to Heads of Operating Units).

B.  **CFO Council**: The CFO Council performs a steering
    committee/advisory role with respect to CSO and other centralized
    competitive sourcing functions. Council responsibilities include:

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1.  Championing the program within its own organization.

2.  Reviewing and recommending to the CSO Department-wide inventory and
    competitive sourcing management plans (including target
    opportunities).

3.  Oversight of post-MEO implementations.

4.  Identification and concurrence of needed program resources.

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C.  **Department of Commerce Procurement Executive: The Procurement**
    Executive operates a centralized Competitive Sourcing Staff (CSS)
    that provides staff support to the CSO and:

    1.  Interprets OMB Circular A-76 and other policy documents.
        Develops and revises Departmental policy, procedures and
        responsibilities for implementing the Circular.

    2.  Maintains liaison with the staff of OMB on matters concerning
        the Circular.

    3.  Responds to inquiries from the public, OMB, Congress, and the
        White House concerning Circular issues.

    4.  Prepares reports to OMB that involve the submission and updating
        of inventories, and management plans and schedules for
        streamlined or standard competitions.

    5.  Maintains records of decisions made as a result of cost
        competitions of commercial activities.

    6.  Maintains inventory and competition database.

    7.  Supports the CFO Council with respect to its competitive
        sourcing responsibilities.

    8.  Assists operating units in their implementation of the Circular.

    9.  Responds to challenges to multi-bureau or Office of the
        Secretary FAIR Act inventories.

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D.  **Head of Operating Unit:**

    1.  Appoints Agency Competition Officials for standard and
        streamlined competitions to be conducted pursuant to the
        Circular, including:

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a.  Agency Tender Official (ATO)

b.  Contracting Officer (CO)

c.  Performance Work Statement (PWS) Team Leader

d.  Human Resource Advisor (HRA)

e.  Source Selection Authority (SSA)

f.  Most Efficient Organization (MEO) Team

    1.  Appoints Organization Coordinator to handle implementation of
        the Circular within the operating unit.

    2.  Institutes processes to ensure that all responsibilities are
        performed consistent with the Circular and Attachment C,
        Delegation of Major A-76 Responsibilities.

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E.  **The Organization Coordinator:**

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1.  Assists the Head of the Operating Unit in implementing Circular
    requirements.

2.  Prepares the Operating Unit's FAIR Act inventory.

3.  Provides advice and assistance to Agency Competition Officials
    concerning Circular requirements.

4.  Provides data to the CSO concerning the Operating Unit's progress in
    achieving Competitive Sourcing objectives.

**1.5 Operational Roles and Responsibilities** (See Attachment B)

Commerce Acquisition Manual 1313.370-01 [March 17, 2003]{.underline}

### Section 2 \-- Operational Guidance and Procedures 

**2.1 Planning:** Planning is the first step in competitive sourcing and
it is conducted in three phases: inventory, nomination and approval of
competitive sourcing candidates, and pre-announcement preparation

A.  Inventory

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1.  Each DOC operating unit will develop commercial and inherently
    governmental Federal Activities Inventory Reform (FAIR) Act
    inventories in accordance with the requirements contained in
    Attachment A of the Circular. CSS will provide instructions to
    operating units to facilitate the timely and accurate submission of
    their inventories for their review and submission to OMB by June
    30^th^ of each year.

2.  The CSS is responsible for:

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a.  Overseeing the development of the inventories

b.  Obtaining their review by the Department's CFO Council

c.  Providing final recommendations concerning each operating unit's
    inventories to the CSO

d.  Submission of the approved inventories and consultation with OMB

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3.  Upon publication of the inventories in the [Federal
    Register]{.underline}, DOC will handle challenges and appeals in
    accordance with Attachment A, Paragraph D. of the Circular and the
    Delegations of Major A-76 Responsibilities (Attachment C of this
    Chapter).

4.  The FAIR Act inventory will form the primary basis for identifying
    potential competitive sourcing candidates to undergo streamlined and
    standard competitions in accordance with the Circular.

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B.  Nomination and Approval of Competitive Sourcing Candidates

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1.  Upon approval of its inventory submission, each operating unit shall
    immediately conduct a review of all functional areas assigned Reason
    Code B ("suitable for a streamlined or standard competition"} on its
    commercial inventory. The review results should be approved by the
    Head of the Operating Unit, transmitted to the CSS and contain:

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a.  a prioritized list of competitive sourcing competitions,

b.  the estimated FTE associated with each

c.  preliminary estimates of contractor and other additional resources
    needed to complete each competition

d.  estimated dates for making public announcements and performance
    decisions.

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2.  The CSS will collect and analyze submissions from the operating
    units and provide the nominations to the CFO Council for its review
    and recommendations. To the extent possible, the nominations will be
    structured into groupings that focus on activities as business units
    (e.g., consistent with market and industry structures),

3.  The CFO Council will:

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a.  review the nominations

b.  meet with and/or obtain additional information from operating unit
    staff (as necessary)

c.  provide recommendations to the CSO concerning :

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1.  each operating unit's submission

2.  staffing and funding resources for conducting recommended standard
    competitions

3.  possibilities for multi-bureau competitions of common commercial
    functions

4.  In preparing their respective recommendations for grouping functions
    and scheduling competitions, the Head of the Operating Unit and the
    CFO Council should consider the following factors:

    a.  The competition's potential for achieving significant
        improvement in efficiency and/or effectiveness

    b.  Severability of the work / activities under consideration

    c.  How closely the function is directly associated with the
        operating unit's core competency

    d.  Validation or review of the nominated group or activity to
        ensure it is a proper Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) and
        application of function and reason codes

    e.  Compatibility with DOC's modernization, budget, workforce
        planning initiatives

    f.  Risks and benefits associated with moving to a "like to be
        organization"

    g.  Availability of private sector offerors-(if there is any doubt,
        use market research to confirm the existence of private sector
        market)

    h.  Potential for achieving efficiencies and cost savings by
        grouping functions within or across operating units

    i.  Availability of workload data, work units, quantifiable outputs
        of activities or processes and high-level work breakdown
        structure

    j.  Industry performance standards that would apply to the function

        5.  After considering the CFO Council's recommendations, the CSO
            shall work with each operating unit to develop a final
            approved competitive sourcing plan.

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C.  Pre-Announcement Preparation

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1.  Upon approval of the competitive sourcing plan, each Head of the
    Operating Unit shall:

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a.  Appoint all Competition Officials required for the scheduled
    standard and streamlined competitions. The Agency Tender Official,
    Contracting Officer (CO), Performance Work Statement (PWS) Team
    Leader, Human Resources Advisor (HRA), and the Source Selection
    Authority (SSA) are required appointments under the Circular for
    standard competitions and optional for streamlined competitions.
    These officials must be in positions identified as inherently
    governmental positions. Their performance in these key positions
    will be evaluated in their annual performance appraisals.

b.  For each competition, determine the activity's baseline costs as
    performed by the incumbent service provider.

c.  Notify each incumbent service provider of the date that the public
    announcement of the competition.

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2.  Public Announcements of Start Dates and End Dates (Performance
    Decision Dates) shall be made in accordance with Attachment B,
    Paragraph B. of the Circular.

## Competitions

A.  Streamlined and standard competitions will be conducted in
    accordance with Attachment B. of the Circular.

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1.  Streamlined competitions (65 or fewer FTE)

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a.  Streamlined Competitions shall not exceed 90 calendar days from
    public announcement (start date) to performance decision (end date)
    unless the CSO grants a time limit waiver. Before the public
    announcement of each streamlined competition, the CSO may grant a
    time limit waiver, in writing, allowing a specific streamlined
    competition to exceed the 90 day time limit by no more than 45
    calendar days, for a maximum of 135 calendar days from public
    announcement (start date) to performance decision (end date).

b.  The Head of the Operating Unit will appoint teams to develop a
    requirements document, the cost of agency performance, and cost of
    private sector/public reimbursable performance. Individuals
    preparing the cost of agency performance and the individuals
    preparing the cost of private sector/public reimbursable performance
    will be different, and will not share information concerning their
    respective estimates.

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2.  Standard Competitions (more than 65 FTE)

    a.  A standard competition will not exceed 12 months from public
        announcement (start date) to performance decision (end date)
        unless the CSO grants a time limit waiver prior to the
        announcement. The CSO may grant the time limit waiver, in
        writing, extending the time limit by 6 months, for a maximum of
        18 months. OMB must be provided a copy of the extension.

    b.  The Head of the Operating Unit will provide overall management
        level decisions on the business unit under study, but will in no
        case, specifically direct what is in the PWS or the Most
        Efficient Organization (MEO).

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B.  Source selection for DOC competitive sourcing competitions shall be
    conducted in accordance with the FAR and the Commerce Acquisition
    Regulation.

C.  The Head of the Operating Unit will coordinate with the CSS and will
    submit requests through the CSO to modify (change the type of
    competition authorized), expedite, cancel, suspend, or delay a
    competition. All requests shall include sufficient justification
    detailing the reasons such proposed action should be taken.

D.  During the course of a competition, potentially affected government
    personnel will be kept apprised of the status of the competition at
    least quarterly by the Head of the Operating Unit and the HR
    Advisor. Heads of the Operating Units / HR Advisors will make every
    effort to consider government personnel, management, union, and
    customer views when preparing the PWS and Agency Tender. A
    communications plan will be developed for each competition.

E.  The CSS will provide guidance and assistance to the Head of the
    Operating Unit throughout the streamlined or standard competition.

F.  The CSS will maintain DOC's A-76 Competition Management Information
    System (CMIS). The PWS Team Leader and ATO shall ensure the timely
    submission of competition milestone data to the Head of the
    Operating Unit, who is then responsible for submitting that data to
    the CSS for inclusion in CMIS.

G.  Contests

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1.  The pursuit of a contest by a directly interested party and the
    resolution of such contest by the Department shall be governed by
    the procedures of FAR Subpart 33.103.

2.  No party may contest any aspect of a streamlined competition.

3.  A directly interested party (see definition in Attachment A) may
    contest any of the following actions taken in connection with a
    standard competition: (a) a solicitation; (b) the cancellation of a
    solicitation; (c) a determination to exclude a tender or offer from
    a standard competition; (d) a performance decision, including, but
    not limited to, compliance with the costing provisions of the
    Circular and other operating units in the Department's evaluation of
    offers and tenders; or (e) a termination or cancellation of a
    contract or letter of obligation if the challenge contains an
    allegation that the termination or cancellation is based in whole or
    in part on improprieties concerning the performance decision.

    2.  **Implementation of Competitive Sourcing Decisions**

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A.  In implementing competitive sourcing decisions, the Department will
    adhere to all applicable personnel statutes, regulations, and
    DOC-specific human resources requirements. The Department will also
    make every effort to minimize adverse actions associated with
    competitive sourcing.

B.  In implementing a Streamlined Performance Decision, DOC will comply
    with Attachment B., Paragraph C.3.d. of the Circular.

C.  In implementing a Standard Performance Decision, DOC will comply
    with Attachment B., Paragraph D. 6.f. of the Circular.

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2.  **Post Competition Accountability**

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A.  Best practices and Lessons Learned. DOC Operating Units shall
    coordinate with the CSS and post best practices and lessons learned
    resulting from a streamlined or standard competition process on
    SHARE A-76! At http:emissary.acq.osd.mil/inst/share.nsf/. DOC shall
    maintain the accuracy and currency of their agency's information,
    including links, on SHARE A-76!

B.  Execution Tracking of Streamlined and Standard Competitions. The CSS
    shall maintain a database to track the execution of agency
    streamlined and standard competitions that (1) assigns a unique
    tracking number to each streamlined and standard competition, (2)
    includes data fields as defined on the OMB web site at
    [www.omb.gov](http://www.omb.gov/), (3) tracks each streamlined and
    standard competition as events occur (real-time) from the date of
    public announcement through either completion of the last
    performance period or cancellation of the competition, and (4)
    retains historical records of streamlined and standard competitions
    after the last performance period has been completed. The Head of
    the Operating Unit will ensure that procedures are in place to
    ensure that information contained in the database is accurate,
    complete and current.

C.  Competitive Sourcing Quarterly Report. DOC Operating Units shall
    submit a Competitive Sourcing Quarterly Report to the CSS one month
    before the end of each fiscal quarter, that includes:

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1.  in-progress streamlined and standard competitions (i.e.,
    competitions with start dates and pending performance decisions)

2.  completed streamlined and standard competitions (i.e., competitions
    with performance decisions).

> The required format for these reports can found on the OMB web site at
> [www.omb.gov](http://www.omb.gov/). OEBAM shall submit a consolidated
> report to OMB, by the end of each fiscal quarter (December, March,
> June, September).

D.  Monitoring Performance.

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1.  Regardless of the selected service provider, DOC shall monitor
    performance in accordance with Attachment B, Paragraph E.4 of the
    Circular.

2.  Upon request of the CFO Council, the Head of the Operating Unit will
    provide briefings and/or information concerning the performance of
    designated service providers.

    E.  DOC will determine option years of performance and follow-on
        competition in accordance with Attachment B., Paragraph E.5 of
        the Circular.

    F.  DOC will comply with Attachment B., Paragraph E.6. with respect
        to any termination of a service provider.

**ATTACHMENT A. ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS**

Acronyms

  ----------------- -----------------------------------------------------
  **Acronym**       **Clear Text**

  ATO               Agency Tender Official

  C.F.R.            Code of Federal Regulations

  CO                Contracting Officer

  CSO               Competitive Sourcing Official

  CSS               Competitive Sourcing Staff

  FAIR              Federal Activities Inventory Reform

  FAR               Federal Acquisition Regulation

  FTE               Full-time Equivalent

  GFP               Government-Furnished Property

  HRA               Human Resource Advisor

  MEO               Most Efficient Organization

  OMB               Office of Management and Budget

  PWS               Performance Work Statement

  SCF               Standard Competition Form

  SLCF              Streamlined Competition Form

  SSA               Source Selection Authority

  SSEB              Source Selection Evaluation Board

  U.S.C.            United States Code

  VERA              Voluntary Early Retirement Authority

  VSIP              Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay
  ----------------- -----------------------------------------------------

**Definitions**

DOC management and operating units shall use these definitions to
implement and comply with the Circular.

**Activity.** A specific task or grouping of tasks that provides a
specialized capability, service or product based on a recurring
government requirement. Depending on the grouping of tasks, an activity
may be an entire function or may be a part of a function. An activity
may be inherently governmental or commercial in nature.

**Adversely Affected Government Personnel.** Federal civilian employees
serving competitive or excepted service appointments in Tenure Groups I,
II, or III, who are identified for release from their competitive level
by the Department, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. Part 351 and 5 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as a direct result of a performance decision resulting from
a streamlined or standard competition.

**Agency Cost Estimate.** The part of the Agency Tender in a standard
competition that includes the Department's cost proposal and represents
the full cost of Department performance of the commercial activity,
based on the requirements in the solicitation and the costing policy in
Attachment C of OMB Circular A-76.

**Agency Performance.** Performance of a commercial or inherently
governmental activity with government personnel. Often referred to as
"in-house performance."

**Agency Source.** A service provider staffed by government personnel.

**Agency Tender.** The Department management plan submitted in response
to a solicitation for a standard competition. The Agency Tender includes
an MEO, Agency Cost Estimate, MEO quality control plan, MEO phase-in
plan, and copies of any MEO subcontracts (with the private sector
providers' proprietary information redacted). The Agency Tender is
prepared in accordance with Attachment B of OMB Circular A-76 and the
solicitation requirements.

**Agency Tender Official (ATO).** An inherently governmental
Departmental official with decision-making authority who is responsible
for the Agency Tender and represents the Agency Tender during source
selection.

**Commercial Activity.** A recurring service that could be performed by
the private sector. This recurring service is an agency requirement that
is funded and controlled through a contract, fee-for-service agreement,
or performance by government personnel. Commercial activities may be
found within, or throughout, organizations that perform inherently
governmental activities or classified work.

**COMPARE.** The Microsoft Windows-based A-76 costing software that
incorporates the costing procedures of the OMB Circular A-76. Agencies
must use COMPARE to calculate and document the costs on the SLCF for a
streamlined competition or the SCF for a standard competition. The
software is available through the SHARE A-76! Website at
[[http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/inst/share.nsf/.]{.underline}](http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/inst/share.nsf/.)

**Competition.** A formal evaluation of sources to provide a commercial
activity that uses pre-established rules (e.g., the FAR, OMB Circular
A-76). Competitions between private sector sources are performed in
accordance with the FAR. Competitions between agency, private sector,
and public reimbursable sources are performed in accordance with the FAR
and OMB Circular A-76. The term "competition," as used in this circular
includes streamlined and standard competitions performed in accordance
with OMB Circular A-76, and FAR-based competitions for agency-performed
activities, contracted services, new requirements, expansions of
existing work, and activities performed under fee-for-service agreement.

The term also includes cost comparisons, streamlined cost comparisons,
and direct conversions performed under previous versions of OMB Circular
A-76.

**Competition Officials.** The Department officials appointed before a
standard competition is announced. These individuals perform key roles
(see Appendix B) and have essential responsibilities for the successful
completion of the standard competition. Competition officials are the
Agency Tender Official, Contracting Officer, Source Selection Authority,
Human Resource Advisor, and PWS Team Leader.

**Competitive Sourcing Official (CSO).** An inherently governmental
Department official responsible for the implementation of OMB Circular
A-76 within DOC.

**Contracting Officer (CO).** An inherently governmental Departmental
official who participates on the PWS team, and is responsible for the
issuance of the solicitation and the source selection evaluation
methodology. The CO awards the contract and issues the MEO letter of
obligation or fee-for-service agreement resulting from a streamlined or
standard competition. The CO and the SSA may be the same individual.

**Conversion From Contract.** A change in the performance of a
commercial activity from a private sector provider to Department
performance.

**Conversion To Contract.** A change in the performance of a commercial
activity from Department performance to a private sector provider.

**Directly Affected Employees.** Civilian employees whose work is being
competed in a streamlined or standard competition.

**Directly Interested Party.** The Agency Tender Official who submitted
the Agency Tender; a single individual appointed by a majority of
directly affected employees as their agent; a private sector offeror; or
the official who certifies the public reimbursable tender.

**Employee Transition Plan.** A written plan developed by the HRA for
the potential transition of the Department's civilian employees to an
MEO, or to private sector or public reimbursable performance. This plan
is developed early in the streamlined or standard competition process,
based on the incumbent DOC organization, to identify projected employee
impacts and the time needed to accommodate such impacts, depending on
the potential outcomes of the competition. The employee transition plan
differs from a phase-in plan, which is developed by prospective
providers responding to a solicitation.

**End date.** The end date for a streamlined or standard competition is
the date that all SCF certifications are completed, signifying DOC's
performance decision.

**Expansion.** An increase in the operating cost of an existing
commercial activity based on modernization, replacement, upgrade, or
increased workload. An expansion of an existing commercial activity is
an increase of 30 percent or more in the activity's operating costs
(including the cost of FTEs) or total capital investment.

**[[FedBizOpps.gov]{.underline}](http://FedBizOpps.gov/). The** website
where the government electronically advertises solicitations or
requirements.

**Fee-for-Service Agreement.** A formal agreement between agencies, in
which one agency provides a service (a commercial activity) for a fee
paid by another agency. The agency providing the service is referred to
as a public reimbursable source.

**Full-Time Equivalent (FTE).** The staffing of Federal civilian
employee positions, expressed in terms of annual productive work hours
(1,776) rather than annual available hours that includes non-productive
hours (2,080 hours). FTEs may reflect civilian positions that are not
necessarily staffed at the time of public announcement and staffing of
FTE positions may fluctuate during a streamlined or standard
competition. The staffing and threshold FTE requirements stated in OMB
Circular A-76 reflect the *DOC Competitive Sourcing Program* workload
performed by these FTE positions, not the workload performed by actual
government personnel. FTEs do not include military personnel, uniformed
services, or contract support.

**Function Code.** The numerical code used to categorize an agency's
commercial and inherently governmental activities for inventory
reporting purposes.

**Government Furnished Property (GFP).** Facilities, equipment,
material, supplies, or other services provided by the government for use
by all prospective providers in the solicitation. Costs for GFP included
in a solicitation are considered common costs. Replacement costs,
insurance, maintenance and repair costs for GFP may or may not be
government-furnished, depending on the provisions in the solicitation.

**Government Personnel.** Civilian employees, foreign national
employees, temporary employees, term employees, non-appropriated fund
employees, and uniformed services personnel employed by an agency to
perform activities.

**Human Resource Advisor (HRA).** An inherently governmental agency
official who is a human resource expert and is responsible for
performing human resource-related actions to assist the ATO in
developing the Agency Tender.

**Incumbent Service Provider.** The source (i.e., agency, private
sector, or public reimbursable source) providing the service when a
public announcement is made of the streamlined or standard competition.

**Inherently Governmental Activities.** An activity that is so
intimately related to the public interest as to mandate performance by
government personnel.

**Interested Parties.** For purposes of challenging the contents of an
agency's commercial activities inventory pursuant to the Federal
Activities Inventory Reform Act, an interested party is (1) a private
sector source that is an actual or prospective offeror for a contract or
other form of agreement to perform the activity and has a direct
economic interest in performing the activity that would be adversely
affected by a determination not to procure the performance of the
activity from a private sector source; (2) a representative of any
business or professional association that includes within its membership
private sector sources referred to in (1) above; (3) an officer or
employee of an organization within an executive agency that is an actual
or prospective offeror to perform the activity; (4) the head of any
labor organization referred to in section 7103(a)(4) of title 5, United
States Code, that includes within its membership officers or employees
of an organization.

**Inventory.** A list of government personnel, by location, function,
and position, performing either commercial activities or inherently
governmental activities.

**MEO Letter of Obligation.** A formal agreement that an agency
implements when a standard or streamlined competition results in agency
performance (e.g., MEO).

**MEO Team.** A group of individuals, comprised of technical and
functional experts, formed to assist the ATO in developing the Agency
Tender.

**Most Efficient Organization (MEO).** The staffing plan of the Agency
Tender, developed to represent the agency's most efficient and
cost-effective organization. An MEO is required for a standard
competition and may include a mix of government personnel and MEO
subcontracts.

**New Requirement.** An agency's newly established need for a commercial
product or service that is not performed by (1) the agency with
government personnel; (2) a fee-for-service agreement with a public
reimbursable source; or (3) a contract with the private sector. An
activity that is performed by the agency and is reengineered,
reorganized, modernized, upgraded, expanded, or changed to become more
efficient, but still essentially provides the same service, is not
considered a new requirement. New ways of performing existing work are
not new requirements.

**Offer.** A private sector source's formal response to a request for
proposals or invitation for bid. The term "offeror" refers to the
specific source rather than the response.

**Operating Unit.** An organizational grouping within DOC, such as a
bureau, center, military service, or field office.

**Past Performance.** An indicator that may be used in the source
selection process to evaluate a prospective provider's previous
performance on work comparable to that being competed, for the purpose
of predicting the quality of future performance relative to other offers
or public reimbursable tenders. FAR 42.1501 describes the information
used to evaluate past performance, and FAR 15.305(a)(2) provides
guidance for the consideration of past performance in the source
selection process.

**Performance Decision.** The outcome of a streamlined or standard
competition based on SLCF or SCF certifications.

**Performance Standards.** Verifiable, measurable levels of service in
terms of quantity, quality, timeliness, location, and work units.
Performance standards are used in a performance-based PWS to (1) assess
(i.e., inspect and accept) the work during a period of performance; (2)
provide a common output related basis for preparing private sector
offers and public tenders; and (3) compare the offers and tenders to the
PWS. The requiring activity's acceptable levels of service are normally
stated in the PWS. The solicitation includes performance standards.

**Performance Work Statement (PWS).** A statement in the solicitation
that identifies the technical, functional, and performance
characteristics of the agency's requirements. The PWS is
performance-based and describes the agency's needs (the "what"), not
specific methods for meeting those needs (the "how"). The PWS identifies
essential outcomes to be achieved, specifies the agency's required
performance standards, and specifies the location, units, quality and
timeliness of the work.

**Phase-in Plan.** A prospective provider's plan to replace the
incumbent provider(s) that is submitted in response to the solicitation.
The phase-in plan is implemented in the first performance period and
includes details on minimizing disruption, adverse personnel impacts,
and start-up requirements. The phase-in plan is different from the
employee transition plan developed by the HRA.

**Privatization.** A federal agency decision to change a
government-owned and government-operated commercial activity or
enterprise to private sector control and ownership. When privatizing,
the agency eliminates associated assets and resources (manpower for and
funding of the requirement). Since there is no government ownership and
control, no service contract or fee-for-service agreement exists between
the agency and the private sector after an agency privatizes a
commercial activity or enterprise. Moving work from agency performance
with government personnel to private sector performance where the agency
still funds the activity is not privatization.

**Prospective Providers.** Private sector, public reimbursable, and
agency sources that may submit responses (offers or tenders) in response
to an agency's solicitation.

**Service Provider.** An agency, private sector, or public reimbursable
source that is performing, or will perform a commercial activity.

**Public Announcement.** An agency's formal declaration that the agency
has made a (1) decision to perform a streamlined or standard
competition, or (2) performance decision in a streamlined or standard
competition. The CO makes these announcements via
*[[FedBizOpps.gov]{.underline}](http://FedBizOpps.gov/).*

**Public Reimbursable Source.** A service provider from a federal agency
that could perform a commercial activity for another federal agency on a
fee-for-service or reimbursable basis by using either civilian employees
or federal contracts with the private sector.

**Public Reimbursable Tender.** A federal agency's formal response to
another federal agency's solicitation for offers or tenders. The public
reimbursable tender is developed in accordance with OMB Circular A-76
and includes a cost estimate, prepared in accordance with Attachment C
of OMB Circular A-76.

**PWS Team Leader.** The PWS team leader shall: (1) be an inherently
governmental agency official; (2) be independent of the ATO, HRA and MEO
team; (3) develop the PWS and quality assurance surveillance plan; (4)
determine government-furnished property (GFP); (5) assist the CO in
developing the solicitation; and (8) assist in implementing the
performance decision.

**PWS Team.** A group of individuals, comprised of technical and
functional experts, formed to develop the PWS and quality assurance
surveillance plan, and to assist the CO in developing the solicitation.

**Quality Assurance Surveillance.** The government's monitoring of a
service provider's performance in accordance with the quality assurance
surveillance plan and the performance requirements identified in the
solicitation.

**Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.** The government's inspection
plan. The quality assurance surveillance plan documents methods used to
measure performance of the service provider against the requirements in
the PWS. The agency relies on the service provider to monitor daily
performance using their own quality control plan, but retains the right
to inspect all services. When the agency makes a performance decision,
the agency re-evaluates and modifies the existing quality assurance
surveillance plan, based upon the selected provider and the selected
provider's accepted quality control plan.

**Quality Control Plan.** A self-inspection plan that is included in all
offers and tenders. The quality control plan describes the internal
staffing and procedures that the prospective provider will use to meet
the quality, quantity, timeliness, responsiveness, customer
satisfaction, and other service delivery requirements in the PWS.

**Representatives of Directly Affected Employees.** In the case of
directly affected employees represented by a labor organization accorded
exclusive recognition under 5 U.S.C. § 7111, a representative is an
individual designated by that labor organization to represent its
interests. In the case of directly affected employees not represented by
a labor organization under 5 U.S.C. § 7111, a representative is an
individual appointed by directly affected employees as their
representative.

**Resources.** Funding allocated for contracts, manpower, facilities,
material, or equipment to perform agency requirements.

**Segregable Expansion.** An increase to an existing commercial activity
that can be separately competed.

**SHARE A-76!** The Department of Defense A-76 knowledge management
system used to share knowledge, information, and experience about
public-private competitions. This public site contains A­76-related
guidance, sample documents, best practices, tools, and links to other
A-76 websites and sources for A-76-related information. Users may post
best practices used in public-private competitions, research A-76
through the use of search engines, and submit Internet links to add to
the available links in SHARE A-76! The web site address is
[[http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/inst/share.nsf/.]{.underline}](http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/inst/share.nsf/.)

**Solicitation Closing Date.** The due date for delivery of private
sector offers, public reimbursable tenders, and the Agency Tender, as
stated in the solicitation.

**Source.** One of three specific categories of service providers (i.e.,
agency, private sector, or public reimbursable) that can perform a
commercial activity for an agency.

**Source Selection Authority (SSA).** A Functional Team Official with
decision-making authority who is responsible for source selection as
required by the FAR and this circular. The SSA and CO may be the same
individual.

**Source Selection Evaluation Board (SSEB).** The team or board
appointed by the SSA to assist in a negotiated acquisition.

**Standard Competition Form (SCF).** The agency form that documents and
certifies all costs calculated in the standard competition.

**Start Date.** The start date for a streamlined or standard competition
is the date that the agency makes a formal public announcement of the
agency's decision to perform a streamlined or standard competition.

**Streamlined Competition Form (SLCF).** The agency form that documents
and certifies all costs calculated in the streamlined competition, in
accordance with Attachment C.

> **ATTACHMENT B. OPERATIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
| > *    | > **    | > **Responsibilities**               | > **Refe |
| *Title | Qualifi |                                      | rences** |
| > of   | cations |                                      |          |
| > Offi | > of**  |                                      |          |
| cial** |         |                                      |          |
|        | **Indiv |                                      |          |
|        | idual** |                                      |          |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
| >      | > Inh   | -   Comply with both the FAR and the | > At     |
|  Perfo | erently |     OMB Circular A-76                | tachment |
| rmance | >       |                                      | > A:     |
| > Work | > gover | -   Develop the PWS and quality      |          |
| >      | nmental |     assurance surveillance plan      |          |
| > Sta  | >       |                                      |          |
| tement | > Dep   | -   Determine government-furnished   |          |
| >      | artment |     property                         |          |
|  (PWS) | > o     |                                      |          |
| >      | fficial | -   Assist the CO in developing the  |          |
| > Team | >       |     solicitation                     |          |
| >      | > Inde  |                                      |          |
| Leader | pendent | -   Assist in implementing the       |          |
|        | > of    |     performance decision             |          |
|        | > the   |                                      |          |
|        | >       | -   Appoint a PWS team comprised of  |          |
|        | > ATO,  |     technical and functional experts |          |
|        | > human |                                      |          |
|        | >       | -   Make all final management        |          |
|        | > r     |     decisions regarding the PWS,     |          |
|        | esource |     GFP, and the quality assurance   |          |
|        | >       |     surveillance plan                |          |
|        | adviser |                                      |          |
|        | >       |                                      |          |
|        | >       |                                      |          |
|        |  (HRA), |                                      |          |
|        | > and   |                                      |          |
|        | > MEO   |                                      |          |
|        | >       |                                      |          |
|        | > team  |                                      |          |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
|        |         |                                      | > D1;    |
|        |         |                                      | > D1a;   |
|        |         |                                      | > D2;    |
|        |         |                                      | >        |
|        |         |                                      | > D3     |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
| >      | > Te    | -   Comply with the FAR and the OMB  | > At     |
|  Perfo | chnical |     Circular A-76                    | tachment |
| rmance | > and   |                                      | > A:     |
| > Work | >       | -   Develop the PWS including        |          |
| >      | > fun   |     supporting workload data,        |          |
| > Sta  | ctional |     performance standards, and any   |          |
| tement | >       |     information relating to the      |          |
| >      | experts |     activity being competed          |          |
|  (PWS) | >       |                                      |          |
| >      | > Inde  | -   Determine government furnished   |          |
| > Team | pendent |     property                         |          |
|        | > of    |                                      |          |
|        | > the   | -   Assist in the CO's development   |          |
|        | >       |     of the solicitation              |          |
|        | > ATO,  |                                      |          |
|        | > human | -   Develop a quality assurance      |          |
|        | >       |     surveillance plan and, and as    |          |
|        | > r     |     required, updating this plan     |          |
|        | esource |     based on the performance         |          |
|        | >       |     decision                         |          |
|        | advisor |                                      |          |
|        | >       | -   Implement the performance        |          |
|        | >       |     decision                         |          |
|        |  (HRA), |                                      |          |
|        | > and   |                                      |          |
|        | > MEO   |                                      |          |
|        | >       |                                      |          |
|        | > team  |                                      |          |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
|        |         |                                      | > D1;    |
|        |         |                                      | > D1b;   |
|        |         |                                      | > D4;    |
|        |         |                                      | >        |
|        |         |                                      | > D5     |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+
| >      | > Inh   | -   Comply with both the FAR and the | > Con    |
|  Contr | erently |     OMB Circular A-76                | tracting |
| acting | >       |                                      | >        |
| > O    | > gover | -   Serve as a member of the PWS     | >        |
| fficer | nmental |     team                             |  Officer |
| >      | >       |                                      | > (CO)   |
| > (CO) | > Dep   | -   Publish a cancellation notice    |          |
|        | artment |     that includes rationale for the  |          |
|        | > o     |     cancellation at                  |          |
|        | fficial |     [[FedBizOpps.gov]{               |          |
|        | >       | .underline}](http://FedBizOpps.gov/) |          |
|        | > Inde  |     for any cancelled competition or |          |
|        | pendent |     solicitation, and perform        |          |
|        | > of    |     solicitation cancellations in    |          |
|        | > the   |     accordance with the FAR          |          |
|        | >       |                                      |          |
|        | > ATO,  | -   Issue solicitations to determine |          |
|        | > human |     a private sector or public       |          |
|        | >       |     reimbursable service providers   |          |
|        | > r     |                                      |          |
|        | esource | -   Award private sector performance |          |
|        | >       |     decision contracts in accordance |          |
|        | advisor |     with the FAR and implement FAR   |          |
|        | >       |     7.305(c), the right of first     |          |
|        | >       |     refusal                          |          |
|        |  (HRA), |                                      |          |
|        | > and   | -   Execute public reimbursable      |          |
|        | > MEO   |     performance decision             |          |
|        | >       |     fee-for-service agreements       |          |
|        | > team  |                                      |          |
|        |         | -   Execute a letter of obligation   |          |
|        |         |     with the Functional Team         |          |
|        |         |     Official responsible for         |          |
|        |         |     performing the commercial        |          |
|        |         |     activity in agency performance   |          |
|        |         |     decisions                        |          |
+--------+---------+--------------------------------------+----------+

+-------+-------+-----------------------------------------+----------+
| Title | Qual  | > Responsibilities                      | Re       |
| of    | ifica |                                         | ferences |
| Off   | tions |                                         |          |
| icial | of    |                                         |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       | Indiv |                                         |          |
|       | idual |                                         |          |
+-------+-------+-----------------------------------------+----------+
|       |       | -   Perform all releases of PWS         |          |
|       |       |     documents and solicitations,        |          |
|       |       |     including drafts                    |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Determine the acquisition strategy  |          |
|       |       |     in accordance with FAR part 7       |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Comply with FAR Subpart 22.10 to    |          |
|       |       |     obtain the applicable wage          |          |
|       |       |     determinations from the Department  |          |
|       |       |     of Labor                            |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Identify in the solicitation        |          |
|       |       |     whether acquisition procedures will |          |
|       |       |     be sealed bid or negotiated         |          |
|       |       |     procedures, including the type of   |          |
|       |       |     source selection process for        |          |
|       |       |     negotiated procedures               |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Include, if desired, a              |          |
|       |       |     cross-reference compliance matrix   |          |
|       |       |     in section L of the solicitation to |          |
|       |       |     decrease the                        |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | > complexity of performing source       |          |
|       |       | > selections                            |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Identify common costs in the        |          |
|       |       |     solicitation                        |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Obtain written approval from the    |          |
|       |       |     CSO if the agency requires a        |          |
|       |       |     private sector source to include a  |          |
|       |       |     performance bond, and include a     |          |
|       |       |     separate CLIN for this cost         |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Require the private sector offeror  |          |
|       |       |     to propose a target cost and target |          |
|       |       |     profit or fee for a solicitation    |          |
|       |       |     for an incentive fee contract       |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Designate a phase-in period as the  |          |
|       |       |     first performance period, and       |          |
|       |       |     include a separate CLIN in the      |          |
|       |       |     solicitation for this purpose       |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Include in the solicitation a       |          |
|       |       |     requirement for prospective         |          |
|       |       |     providers to include a quality      |          |
|       |       |     control plan in offers and tenders  |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Determine if amending the           |          |
|       |       |     solicitation close date is in the   |          |
|       |       |     best interest of the government     |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Document changes to the Agency      |          |
|       |       |     Tender occurring after the          |          |
|       |       |     solicitation close date             |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   In the event of no satisfactory     |          |
|       |       |     private sector or public            |          |
|       |       |     reimbursable source, consult with   |          |
|       |       |     private sector sources to identify: |          |
|       |       |     restrictive, vague, confusing, or   |          |
|       |       |     misleading portions of the          |          |
|       |       |     solicitation; the reasons provided  |          |
|       |       |     by sources for not submitting       |          |
|       |       |     responses; and possible revisions   |          |
|       |       |     to the solicitation to enhance      |          |
|       |       |     competition. Submit the results of  |          |
|       |       |     these consultations and a course of |          |
|       |       |     action to the CSO                   |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Return the Agency Tender to the ATO |          |
|       |       |     before revising the solicitation,   |          |
|       |       |     and revise the solicitation if      |          |
|       |       |     necessary                           |          |
|       |       |                                         |          |
|       |       | -   Evaluate, in the case of no         |          |
|       |       |     satisfactory private sector or      |          |
|       |       |     public reimbursable source, the     |          |
|       |       |     Agency Tender; sign the standard    |          |
|       |       |     competition form, make the standard |          |
|       |       |     competition form available to the   |          |
|       |       |     public, and notify the ATO of the   |          |
|       |       |     decision                            |          |
+-------+-------+-----------------------------------------+----------+

+------+-------+---------------------------------------------+--------+
| T    | Qual  | > Responsibilities                          | Refe   |
| itle | ifica |                                             | rences |
| of   | tions |                                             |        |
| Offi | of    |                                             |        |
| cial |       |                                             |        |
|      | Indiv |                                             |        |
|      | idual |                                             |        |
+------+-------+---------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |       | -   Perform sealed bid acquisitions by      |        |
|      |       |     opening all public and private          |        |
|      |       |     submissions, entering the lowest priced |        |
|      |       |     bid or tender on the standard           |        |
|      |       |     competition form, and certifying the    |        |
|      |       |     form                                    |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Perform lowest price technically        |        |
|      |       |     acceptable source selections by opening |        |
|      |       |     and evaluating all offers and tenders   |        |
|      |       |     to determine technical acceptability,   |        |
|      |       |     conduct price analysis and cost         |        |
|      |       |     realism, enter the lowest contract      |        |
|      |       |     price or public reimbursable cost in    |        |
|      |       |     the standard competition form, and      |        |
|      |       |     certify the standard competition form   |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Perform the phased evaluation source    |        |
|      |       |     selection process by opening and        |        |
|      |       |     evaluating all public and private       |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | > technical proposals for technical         |        |
|      |       | > acceptability, perform price analysis and |        |
|      |       | > cost realism on all cost proposals        |        |
|      |       | >                                           |        |
|      |       | > determined to be technically acceptable,  |        |
|      |       | > enter the lowest cost provider on the     |        |
|      |       | > standard competition form, and            |        |
|      |       | >                                           |        |
|      |       | > sign the form                             |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Perform the tradeoff source selection   |        |
|      |       |     process by conducting price analysis    |        |
|      |       |     and cost realism, conducting            |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | > exchanges and tradeoffs, documenting      |        |
|      |       | > tradeoffs, and entering the price for     |        |
|      |       | > each technically acceptable offer and     |        |
|      |       | > tender on the standard competition form   |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Evaluate all offers together, not       |        |
|      |       |     excepting the Agency Tender             |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Conduct exchanges in accordance with    |        |
|      |       |     FAR 15.306                              |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Ensure that an offer or tender receives |        |
|      |       |     a deficiency notice in the event of a   |        |
|      |       |     deficiency which specifies the time     |        |
|      |       |     limit to address the deficiency         |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Perform price analysis and cost realism |        |
|      |       |     on all proposals and cost estimates     |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Ensure that agency and public           |        |
|      |       |     reimbursable cost estimates are         |        |
|      |       |     calculated in accordance with           |        |
|      |       |     Attachment C of the OMB Circular A-76,  |        |
|      |       |     are based on the standard cost factors  |        |
|      |       |     in effect on the performance decision   |        |
|      |       |     date, and use the version of the        |        |
|      |       |     COMPARE costing software that is in     |        |
|      |       |     effect on the performance decision date |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Include the conversion differential in  |        |
|      |       |     all standard competitions               |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Ensure that the standard competition    |        |
|      |       |     form has been prepared in accordance    |        |
|      |       |     with Attachment C of the OMB            |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Circular A-76 and that the required     |        |
|      |       |     signatures and certifications are on    |        |
|      |       |     the standard competition form           |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Sign the standard competition form to   |        |
|      |       |     certify the decision in a standard      |        |
|      |       |     competition                             |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Offer a debriefing to all private       |        |
|      |       |     sector offerors, public reimbursable    |        |
|      |       |     sources, the ATO, and directly affected |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | > government personnel (and their           |        |
|      |       | > representatives), in accordance with FAR  |        |
|      |       | > 15.503                                    |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Award a private sector source contract  |        |
|      |       |     in accordance with the FAR              |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Develop a fee-for-service agreement     |        |
|      |       |     with the public reimbursable source     |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Make option year exercise               |        |
|      |       |     determinations in accordance with FAR   |        |
|      |       |     17.207                                  |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Notify a service provider of poor       |        |
|      |       |     performance                             |        |
|      |       |                                             |        |
|      |       | -   Issue notices of termination, when      |        |
|      |       |     necessary, in accordance with FAR part  |        |
|      |       |     49                                      |        |
+------+-------+---------------------------------------------+--------+

+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
| > T  | > Quali   | > Responsibilities                         | > R |
| itle | fications |                                            | efe |
| > of | > of      |                                            | ren |
| >    |           |                                            | ces |
| Offi | I         |                                            |     |
| cial | ndividual |                                            |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
|      |           | -   Determine cost adjustments to be       |     |
|      |           |     included on the standard competition   |     |
|      |           |     form, line 8 and line 12, and ensure   |     |
|      |           |     no information is entered on lines 9,  |     |
|      |           |     10, 11, and 14                         |     |
|      |           |                                            |     |
|      |           | -   Include instructions for the material  |     |
|      |           |     and supply costs in the solicitation   |     |
|      |           |                                            |     |
|      |           | -   Perform various costing entries and    |     |
|      |           |     decisions as indicated throughout      |     |
|      |           |     Attachment C of the OMB Circular A-76  |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
| > So | > I       | -   Comply with both the FAR and the OMB   | >   |
| urce | nherently |     Circular A-76 when performing a        | Sou |
| > S  | >         |     streamlined and standard competition   | rce |
| elec | > gov     |                                            | >   |
| tion | ernmental | -   Appoint an SSEB after public           | >   |
| >    | >         |     announcement                           | Sel |
| > A  | > D       |                                            | ect |
| utho | epartment | -   In the event of no satisfactory        | ion |
| rity | >         |     private sector or public reimbursable  | >   |
| > (  |  official |     source and the decision to implement   | >   |
| SSA) | >         |     the Agency Tender, sign the standard   | Aut |
|      | >         |     competition form and indicate the      | hor |
|      | appointed |     reason for the CSO's decision to       | ity |
|      | > in      |     implement the Agency Tender            | >   |
|      | >         |                                            | >   |
|      | > a       | -   Certify the standard competition form  |  (S |
|      | ccordance |     in a phased evaluation source          | SA) |
|      | > with    |     selection process                      |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > FAR     | -   Certify the standard competition form  |     |
|      | > Part    |     in a tradeoff source selection process |     |
|      | > 15.303  |     and documenting, in the case of        |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > In      | > award to other than the lowest cost      |     |
|      | dependent | > provider, the tradeoffs used and         |     |
|      | > of the  | > justification for the tradeoffs          |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > ATO,    | -   Remove offers or tenders that are      |     |
|      | > HRA and |     unable to resolve deficiencies         |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > MEO     | -   Sign the standard competition form to  |     |
|      | > team    |     certify the decision in a standard     |     |
|      |           |     competition                            |     |
|      |           |                                            |     |
|      |           | -   Ensure that the CO offers a debriefing |     |
|      |           |     to all private sector offerors, public |     |
|      |           |     reimbursable sources, the ATO, and     |     |
|      |           |     directly affected government personnel |     |
|      |           |     (and their representatives), in        |     |
|      |           |     accordance with FAR 15.503             |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+

+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
| > T  | > Quali   | > Responsibilities                         | > R |
| itle | fications |                                            | efe |
| > of | > of      |                                            | ren |
| >    |           |                                            | ces |
| Offi | I         |                                            |     |
| cial | ndividual |                                            |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
| > So | > May be  | -   Comply with the source selection       | >   |
| urce | > PWS     |     requirements of the FAR and the OMB    | Sou |
| > S  | > team    |     Circular A-76                          | rce |
| elec | >         |                                            | >   |
| tion | > members | -   Serve as evaluation team               | >   |
| >    | > who are |                                            | Sel |
| > Ev | >         |                                            | ect |
| alua | > not     |                                            | ion |
| tion | >         |                                            | >   |
| > B  |  directly |                                            | > E |
| oard | >         |                                            | val |
| >    |  affected |                                            | uat |
| > (S | >         |                                            | ion |
| SEB) | >         |                                            | >   |
|      | employees |                                            | >   |
|      | >         |                                            |  Bo |
|      | > May not |                                            | ard |
|      | > be      |                                            | >   |
|      | >         |                                            | (SS |
|      |  directly |                                            | EB) |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      |  affected |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > g       |                                            |     |
|      | overnment |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | personnel |                                            |     |
|      | > or      |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > in      |                                            |     |
|      | dividuals |                                            |     |
|      | > with    |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | knowledge |                                            |     |
|      | > of      |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > Agency  |                                            |     |
|      | > Tender  |                                            |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
| > Ag | > I       | -   Comply with the OMB Circular A-76      | > A |
| ency | nherently |                                            | tta |
| > Te | >         | -   Develop, certify, and represent the    | chm |
| nder | > gov     |     Agency Tender                          | ent |
| >    | ernmental |                                            | >   |
| >    | >         | -   Designate the most efficient           |  B: |
| Offi | > D       |     organization (MEO) team after public   |     |
| cial | epartment |     announcement of the standard           |     |
| > (  | >         |     competition                            |     |
| ATO) |  official |                                            |     |
|      | >         | -   Identify the necessary resources and   |     |
|      | > with    |     training to prepare a competitive      |     |
|      | >         |     Agency Tender                          |     |
|      |  decision­ |                                            |     |
|      | >         | -   Appoint an MEO team comprised of       |     |
|      | > making  |     technical and functional experts       |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | authority | -   Make all final management decisions    |     |
|      | >         |     regarding the Agency Tender            |     |
|      | > In      |                                            |     |
|      | dependent | -   Develop an Agency Tender that          |     |
|      | > of the  |     includes: an MEO, an agency cost       |     |
|      | >         |     estimate developed in accordance with  |     |
|      | > co      |                                            |     |
|      | ntracting | > Attachment C of the OMB Circular A-76    |     |
|      | > officer | > and approved by the ATO, the MEO's       |     |
|      | >         | > quality control plan, the                |     |
|      | > (CO),   | >                                          |     |
|      | > source  | > MEO's phase-in plan, and copies of any   |     |
|      | >         | > existing, awarded MEO subcontracts       |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | selection | -   Submit the Agency Tender in a sealed   |     |
|      | >         |     package to the CO by the solicitation  |     |
|      | authority |     closing date, or notify the CO as      |     |
|      | >         |     early as possible if the Agency Tender |     |
|      | > (SSA),  |     is not expected to be delivered by     |     |
|      | > source  |     that date                              |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | >         | -   Propose alternate performance          |     |
|      | selection |     standards, if allowed in the           |     |
|      | > e       |     solicitation                           |     |
|      | valuation |                                            |     |
|      | >         | -   Make changes, when allowed, to the     |     |
|      | > board   |     Agency Tender following the            |     |
|      | > (SSEB), |     solicitation closing date              |     |
|      | > and     |                                            |     |
|      | >         | -   Develop and certify the agency cost    |     |
|      | > pe      |     estimate (the agency's cost proposal)  |     |
|      | rformance |     in accordance with Attachment C of the |     |
|      | > work    |     OMB Circular A-76, using the COMPARE   |     |
|      | >         |     costing software. The ATO shall not    |     |
|      | >         |     make changes to the agency cost        |     |
|      | statement |     estimate except as provided in OMB     |     |
|      | > (PWS)   |     Circular A-76                          |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > team.   |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > A       |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      |  directly |                                            |     |
|      | > i       |                                            |     |
|      | nterested |                                            |     |
|      | >         |                                            |     |
|      | > party   |                                            |     |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+
|      |           |                                            | > A |
|      |           |                                            | 8a; |
|      |           |                                            | > D |
|      |           |                                            | 2b; |
|      |           |                                            | >   |
|      |           |                                            | > D |
|      |           |                                            | 4a( |
|      |           |                                            | 1); |
|      |           |                                            | > D |
|      |           |                                            | 4a( |
|      |           |                                            | 2); |
|      |           |                                            | >   |
|      |           |                                            | >   |
|      |           |                                            | D4a |
|      |           |                                            | (3) |
|      |           |                                            | >   |
|      |           |                                            | > A |
|      |           |                                            | tta |
|      |           |                                            | chm |
|      |           |                                            | ent |
|      |           |                                            | > C |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+-----+

+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
| > T  | >       | > Responsibilities                       | > Refe |
| itle | Qualifi |                                          | rences |
| > of | cations |                                          |        |
| >    | > of    |                                          |        |
| Offi |         |                                          |        |
| cial | Ind     |                                          |        |
|      | ividual |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |         | -   Include a quality control plan in    |        |
|      |         |     the Agency Tender, as required by    |        |
|      |         |     the solicitation.                    |        |
|      |         |                                          |        |
|      |         | -   Include a phase-in plan in the       |        |
|      |         |     Agency Tender, as required by the    |        |
|      |         |     solicitation, to replace the         |        |
|      |         |     incumbent service provider with the  |        |
|      |         |     MEO, even if the agency is the       |        |
|      |         |     incumbent service provider.          |        |
|      |         |                                          |        |
|      |         | -   Include phase-in costs for the       |        |
|      |         |     Agency Tender on SCF Lines 1-6       |        |
|      |         |                                          |        |
|      |         | -   Deliver the Agency Tender to the CO  |        |
|      |         |     in a sealed package by the           |        |
|      |         |     solicitation closing date.           |        |
|      |         |                                          |        |
|      |         | -   If the ATO does not anticipate       |        |
|      |         |     submitting the Agency Tender to the  |        |
|      |         |     CO by the solicitation closing date, |        |
|      |         |     the ATO shall notify the CO as soon  |        |
|      |         |     as possible before the solicitation  |        |
|      |         |     closing date.                        |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
| >    | > Te    | -   Comply with the OMB Circular A-76    | > Atta |
| Most | chnical |     and assist the ATO in developing the | chment |
| > E  | > and   |     Agency Tender                        | > B:   |
| ffic |         |                                          |        |
| ient |         |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
| >    | > fun   | -   Develop the Agency Tender            | > A8b; |
| Orga | ctional |                                          | > B3a; |
| niza | >       |                                          | > B3b; |
| tion | experts |                                          | >      |
| >    |         |                                          | > C    |
| > (  |         |                                          | 3d(1); |
| MEO) |         |                                          | > C    |
| >    |         |                                          | 3d(2); |
| Team |         |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > Inde  |                                          | > D    |
|      | pendent |                                          | 3a(1); |
|      | > of    |                                          | > D    |
|      | > the   |                                          | 3a(2); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > cont  |                                          | > D    |
|      | racting |                                          | 3a(3); |
|      | >       |                                          | > D    |
|      | officer |                                          | 3a(6); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > (CO), |                                          | > D    |
|      | >       |                                          | 3a(9); |
|      |  source |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > se    |                                          | > D3   |
|      | lection |                                          | a(10); |
|      | > au    |                                          |        |
|      | thority |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | >       |                                          | > D3   |
|      |  (SSA), |                                          | a(11); |
|      | >       |                                          |        |
|      |  source |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > se    |                                          | > D3   |
|      | lection |                                          | a(13); |
|      | > eva   |                                          |        |
|      | luation |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > board |                                          | > D3   |
|      | >       |                                          | a(14); |
|      | (SSEB), |                                          |        |
|      | > and   |                                          |        |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | > perf  |                                          | > D    |
|      | ormance |                                          | 4a(2); |
|      | > work  |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 4a(3); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |         |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 4d(1); |
|      |         |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 4d(2): |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      | st      |                                          | > D4d( |
|      | atement |                                          | 2)(b); |
|      | (PWS)   |                                          | > D5a; |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      | > team  |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 5b(1); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |         |                                          | > D5b( |
|      |         |                                          | 2)(a); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D5b( |
|      |         |                                          | 2)(b); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 5b(3); |
|      |         |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 5c(1); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |         |                                          | > D    |
|      |         |                                          | 5c(3); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+
|      |         |                                          | > D5c( |
|      |         |                                          | 4)(a); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D5c( |
|      |         |                                          | 4)(b); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D5c( |
|      |         |                                          | 4)(c); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D5c( |
|      |         |                                          | 4)(d); |
|      |         |                                          | > D6a; |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D6d; |
|      |         |                                          | > D6f( |
|      |         |                                          | 1)(a); |
|      |         |                                          | >      |
|      |         |                                          | > D6f( |
|      |         |                                          | 1)(b); |
+------+---------+------------------------------------------+--------+

+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
| > T  | > Quali   | > Responsibilities                         | > Re |
| itle | fications |                                            | fere |
| > of | > of      |                                            | nces |
| >    |           |                                            |      |
| Offi | I         |                                            |      |
| cial | ndividual |                                            |      |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  D6f |
|      |           |                                            | (2); |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  D6f |
|      |           |                                            | (3); |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | E5a; |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  E6a |
|      |           |                                            | (1); |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | > E6 |
|      |           |                                            | a(2) |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | > At |
|      |           |                                            | tach |
|      |           |                                            | ment |
|      |           |                                            | > C: |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  A3; |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | B3a; |
|      |           |                                            | > C1 |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
| > I  | > D       | -   Review and respond to challenges of    | > At |
| nven | esignated |     DOC inventory decisions                | tach |
| tory | > by the  |                                            | ment |
| >    | >         | -   Receive written inventory challenges   | > B: |
| > C  | > head of |                                            | >    |
| hall | > the     | -   Validate the commercial or inherently  | >    |
| enge | >         |     governmental categorization or reason  | A8c; |
| >    | > D       |     code designation of the activity, in a | >    |
| >    | epartment |     written inventory challenge decision;  |  D2a |
|  Aut | >         |     and transmit the inventory challenge   |      |
| hori | > At the  |     decision, including the rationale for  |      |
| ties | > same    |     the decision, to the interested party  |      |
|      | > level   |     within 28 working days of the receipt  |      |
|      | >         |     of the inventory challenge             |      |
|      | > as, or  |                                            |      |
|      | > a       |                                            |      |
|      | > higher  |                                            |      |
|      | > level   |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | > than,   |                                            |      |
|      | > the     |                                            |      |
|      | > i       |                                            |      |
|      | ndividual |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | > who     |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      |  prepared |                                            |      |
|      | > the     |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | inventory |                                            |      |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
| > I  | > D       | -   Review and respond to appeals of       | > At |
| nven | esignated |     inventory challenge decisions made by  | tach |
| tory | > by the  |     inventory challenge authorities        | ment |
| > Ap | >         |                                            | > B: |
| peal | > head of | -   Receive appeals of inventory challenge |      |
| >    | > the     |     decisions                              |      |
| >    | >         |                                            |      |
|  Aut | > D       | -   Issue and transmit a written inventory |      |
| hori | epartment |     appeal decision to the interested      |      |
| ties | >         |     party within 10 working days of the    |      |
|      | > In      |                                            |      |
|      | dependent | > receipt of the appeal                    |      |
|      | > and at  |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | > a       |                                            |      |
|      | > higher  |                                            |      |
|      | > level   |                                            |      |
|      | > than    |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | > the     |                                            |      |
|      | > i       |                                            |      |
|      | ndividual |                                            |      |
|      | > who     |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      |  prepared |                                            |      |
|      | > the     |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | >         |                                            |      |
|      | inventory |                                            |      |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | A8d; |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  A8d |
|      |           |                                            | (1); |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            |  A8d |
|      |           |                                            | (2); |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | B3a; |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | >    |
|      |           |                                            | B3b; |
|      |           |                                            | > D  |
|      |           |                                            | 4d(2 |
|      |           |                                            | )(b) |
+------+-----------+--------------------------------------------+------+

+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+
| >      | Qual  | > Responsibilities                           | R   |
|  Title | ifica |                                              | efe |
| > of   | tions |                                              | ren |
| > Of   | of    |                                              | ces |
| ficial |       |                                              |     |
|        | Indiv |                                              |     |
|        | idual |                                              |     |
+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+
| >      | >     | -   Participate on the MEO team              | > A |
|  Human | Inher |                                              | tta |
| > Re   | ently | -   Be responsible for:                      | chm |
| source | > go  |                                              | ent |
| > A    | vernm |     -   Employee and Labor-Relations         | >   |
| dvisor | ental |         Requirements, including as a         |  B: |
|        | > DOC |         minimum:                             | >   |
|        | > off |                                              | >   |
|        | icial |     ```{=html}                               |  A. |
|        | > and |     <!-- -->                                 | 8.d |
|        | > a   |     ```                                      |     |
|        | >     |     -   Interfacing with directly affected   |     |
|        | human |         employees (and their                 |     |
|        | > res |         representatives.                     |     |
|        | ource |                                              |     |
|        | > e   |     -   Identifying adversely affected       |     |
|        | xpert |         employees.                           |     |
|        | >     |                                              |     |
|        | > I   |     -   Accomplishing employee placement     |     |
|        | ndepe |         entitlements in accordance with 5    |     |
|        | ndent |         C.F.R. Part 351 (reduction in force  |     |
|        | > of  |         procedures).                         |     |
|        | > the |                                              |     |
|        | > CO, |     -   Providing post-employment            |     |
|        | >     |         restrictions to employees.           |     |
|        |  SSA, |                                              |     |
|        | > PWS |     -   Determining priority considerations  |     |
|        | >     |         for vacant positions and             |     |
|        |  team |         establishing a reemployment priority |     |
|        | > and |         list(s) in accordance with 5 C.F.R.  |     |
|        | > the |         Part 330.                            |     |
|        | >     |                                              |     |
|        |  SSEB |     -   Providing the CO with a list of      |     |
|        |       |         adversely affected employees         |     |
|        |       |         regarding the right of first refusal |     |
|        |       |         for a private sector decision.       |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     ```{=html}                               |     |
|        |       |     <!-- -->                                 |     |
|        |       |     ```                                      |     |
|        |       |     -   Assisting the ATO and MEO Team in    |     |
|        |       |         developing the agency tender by:     |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     ```{=html}                               |     |
|        |       |     <!-- -->                                 |     |
|        |       |     ```                                      |     |
|        |       |     -   Scheduling sufficient time in        |     |
|        |       |         competition milestones to accomplish |     |
|        |       |         potential human resource actions in  |     |
|        |       |         accordance with 5 C.F.R. Part 351.   |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Advising on position classification  |     |
|        |       |         restrictions.                        |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Classifying position descriptions,   |     |
|        |       |         including exemptions based on the    |     |
|        |       |         Fair Labor Standards Act.            |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Performing labor market analysis to  |     |
|        |       |         determine the sufficient labor       |     |
|        |       |         necessary to staff the MEO and       |     |
|        |       |         implement the phase-in plan.         |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Assisting in the development of the  |     |
|        |       |         agency cost estimate by providing    |     |
|        |       |         annual salaries, wages, night        |     |
|        |       |         differentials and premium pay.       |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Assisting in the development of the  |     |
|        |       |         timing for phase-in plan based on    |     |
|        |       |         MEO requirements.                    |     |
|        |       |                                              |     |
|        |       |     -   Developing an employee transition    |     |
|        |       |         plan for the incumbent organization  |     |
|        |       |         early in the standard competition    |     |
|        |       |         process.                             |     |
+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+
| >      |       | -   Provide inflation guidance for use in    |     |
| Office |       |     developing MEOs.                         |     |
| > of   |       |                                              |     |
| >      |       | -   Provide information on the Department's  |     |
| Budget |       |     operating costs for developing MEOs.     |     |
+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+
| >      |       | > Provides advice to the CSESG, the OCS,     |     |
| Office |       | > procurement personnel, the Functional Team |     |
| > of   |       | > Official and                               |     |
| >      |       | >                                            |     |
| Public |       | > competition team participants, and other   |     |
| >      |       | > appointed competitive sourcing officials   |     |
| > A    |       | > on issues                                  |     |
| ffairs |       | >                                            |     |
|        |       | > concerning public announcements related to |     |
|        |       | > the Competitive Sourcing Program           |     |
+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+
| >      |       | > Provides the CSESG, the OCS, procurement   |     |
| Office |       | > personnel, the Functional Team Official    |     |
| > of   |       | > and competition                            |     |
| >      |       | >                                            |     |
| >      |       | > team participants, and other appointed     |     |
|  Legis |       | > competitive sourcing officials advice on   |     |
| lative |       | > Congressional issues                       |     |
| >      |       | >                                            |     |
| > and  |       | > and intergovernmental issues related to    |     |
| >      |       | > the Competitive Sourcing Program           |     |
| >      |       |                                              |     |
|  Inter |       |                                              |     |
| govern |       |                                              |     |
| mental |       |                                              |     |
| >      |       |                                              |     |
| > A    |       |                                              |     |
| ffairs |       |                                              |     |
+--------+-------+----------------------------------------------+-----+

## ATTACHMENT C: DELEGATION OF MAJOR A-76 RESPONSIBILITIES

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CIRCULAR** **TO BE PERFORMED BY:**
  --------------------------------------- -------------------------------
  Obtain prior written OMB approval       Required by the new Circular to
  before deviating from the Circular.     be obtained from OMB by the
                                          Competitive Sourcing Official
                                          (CSO). \[The DOC CFO/ASA has
                                          been appointed as the CSO\]

  Determine that Government personnel are Head of the Operating Unit and
  performing an "inherently governmental" approval by the CSO.
  function. Make determination and        
  justify it in writing. Justification    
  "shall be made available to OMB and the 
  public upon request."                   

  Exempt a commercial activity performed  Head of the Operating Unit (or
  by government personnel from            designee). Approved by the DOC
  performance by the private sector (i.e. CSO and provided to OMB by the
  assign Reason Code A). Written          DOC CSO upon request.
  exemption and justification that "shall 
  be made available to OMB and the public 
  upon request."                          

  Challenges to bureau-specific FAIR Act  Head of the Operating Unit.
  inventories.                            

  Challenges to multi-bureau or Office of Procurement Executive, Office
  the Secretary FAIR Act inventories.     of Acquisition Management.

  Appeals to FAIR Act inventory challenge Competitive Sourcing Official.
  decisions.                              

  Appoint competition officials (e.g. the Head of the Operating Unit who
  Agency Tender Official (ATO),           may redelegate authority to a
  Contracting Officer (CO), Performance   subordinate manager.
  Work Statement (PWS) Team Leader, Human 
  Resource Advisor (HRA) and Source       
  Selection Authority (SSA)) for each     
  standard competition and as appropriate 
  for streamlined competitions. Hold them 
  accountable for the timely and proper   
  conduct of streamlined or standard      
  competitions through the use of annual  
  performance evaluations.                

  Approve in writing the cancellation of  Required by the new Circular to
  a streamlined or standard competition.  be performed by the Competitive
                                          Sourcing Official (without
                                          delegation).

  Grant time limit waivers, in writing,   Required by the new Circular to
  allowing a specific streamlined         be performed by the Competitive
  competition to exceed the 90-day time   Sourcing Official (without
  limit by no more than 45 calendar days, delegation).
  for a maximum of 135 calendar days from 
  public announcement to performance      
  decision.                               

  Grant time limit waivers, before the    Required by the new Circular to
  announcement of each standard           be performed by the Competitive
  competition, allowing a specific        Sourcing Official (without
  standard competition to exceed the      delegation).
  12-month time limit by no more than 6   
  months, for a maximum of 18 months from 
  public announcement to performance      
  decision.                               

  Obtain prior written approval from OMB  Competitive Sourcing Official
  to use performance periods that exceed  based upon recommendation from
  five years (excluding the phase-in      the Head of the Operating Unit.
  period).                                

  Approve, in writing, the use of a       Required by the new Circular to
  tradeoff source selection process (if   be performed by the Competitive
  used) and forward a copy of the         Sourcing Official (without
  approval to OMB.                        delegation).

  Determine if the ATO is able to resolve Head of the Operating Unit.
  deficiencies in the agency tender, and  
  advise the SSA whether to exclude the   
  agency tender from the standard         
  competition.                            

  Approve termination of the service      Required by the new Circular to
  provider for failure to perform.        be performed by the Competitive
                                          Sourcing Official (without
                                          delegation).

  Identify savings resulting from         CFO or Administrative Officer
  completed streamlined and standard      of the Operating Unit.
  competitions in accordance with OMB     
  Circular No. A-11, *Preparation,        
  Submission and Execution of the         
  Budget.*                                

  Approve the requirement of a private    Head of the Operating Unit who
  sector source to include a performance  may redelegate authority to a
  bond.                                   subordinate manager.

  Determine if procedures are in place    Head of the Operating Unit who
  permitting an agency tender to receive  may redelegate authority to a
  an award fee.                           subordinate manager.

  Determine (in consultation with the CO) Head of the Operating Unit who
  if the solicitation closing date should may redelegate authority to a
  be amended if the agency tender will    subordinate manager.
  not be submitted by the original        
  closing date.                           

  If no responsive, responsible offers    Head of the Operating Unit with
  are received from private or public     approval by the Competitive
  reimbursable sources, make a written    Sourcing Official **if**
  determination to either revise the      solicitation revision is chosen
  solicitation or implement the agency    and would result in exceeding
  tender. Consult with Deputy Director of established time limit for the
  OMB if solicitation revision is chosen  standard competition.
  and would result in exceeding           
  established time limit for the standard 
  competition.                            

  Justify and approve in writing the      Head of the Operating Unit who
  determination to provide government     may redelegate authority to a
  furnished property.                     subordinate manager.

  Ensure against inappropriate            The CO or the Head of the
  \"grouping\" of functions or services   Operating Unit.
  where the requirement would then be     
  unlikely suitable for award to small    
  business.                               

  Must consider small business set-aside  Contracting Officer.
  or establish worthwhile subcontracting  
  goals for any type of competition.      
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