**GAO-09-14**                      Published: Nov 21, 2008. Publicly Released: Nov 21, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Competition between federal and private organizations to provide services--referred to as "competitive sourcing"--can be one way to help achieve greater efficiency in government. Under guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), competitive sourcing has been implemented at various executive branch agencies over the years. As required under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 and directed by House Report 110-231, this report examines the use of competitive sourcing at the Department of Labor (DOL). Specifically, GAO examined the comprehensiveness and reliability of DOL's performance and cost assessments in accordance with OMB and DOL guidance as well as the impact of competitive sourcing on certain DOL workers. To address these issues, GAO reviewed relevant statutes, guidance, reports and personnel actions; and interviewed OMB and DOL officials and 60 DOL staff, grouped by role, in four locations.

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## Topics

Government Operations

AccountabilityCompetitive procurementContract administrationContract oversightCost effectiveness analysisData collectionData integrityFederal agenciesFederal regulationsInternal controlsManaged competitionPerformance appraisalPerformance measuresPolicy evaluationProcurement regulationsProgram managementRegulatory agenciesReporting requirementsSource selectionStandardsStrategic planning