As part of its startup commitment, OPM promised USIS three years of continued federal background investigative business. Synectics AMEC, formerly the Army Management Engineering College. Synectics AMEC has a 1998 course catalog offering most of the same courses previously taught by the Army, plus an added curriculum on implementing the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act. With all these choices, improved service and lower costs, one might guess that everyone is thrilled with the new more competitive environment for administrative services. But that s not necessarily so.
Competition means risk, for buyers and even more for sellers.
Even when they do control the money, they re often pressured to spend it within their own agencies, if possible. Another problem is the lack of comprehensive information on service providers. GSA provides an online directory of reimbursable services , but many of the newer reimbursable organizations have not yet sought to be listed. The Treasury Department s internal CFO Council is conducting a survey to identify all federal reimbursable support organizations. There is no equivalent source of information for all the private-sector alternatives.