We find this argument unpersuasive. The agency was under no duty, statutory or otherwise, to make Techniarts the beneficiary of those contracts. There is reason to doubt this assumption. In addition, the Economy Act's implementing regulations expressly incorporate the OMB Circular's requirements. Achieve Economy and Enhance Productivity.
Competition enhances quality, economy, and productivity.
Whenever commercial sector performance of a Government operated commercial activity is permissible, in accordance with this Circular and its Supplement, comparison of the cost of contracting and the cost of in-house performance shall be performed to determine who will do the work. Certain functions are inherently Governmental in nature, being so intimately related to the public interest as to mandate performance only by Federal employees. These functions are not in competition with the commercial sector. Therefore, these functions shall be performed by Government employees. Rely on the Commercial Sector.