The Office of Federal Procurement Policy has revised
guidance for classifying functions as “inherently
governmental,” “commercial,” or “suitable for competition,”
for the workforce inventory process.
“This new guidance will help agencies clearly define the
nature of functions performed by their workforces,” said
OFPP Administrator David H. Safavian, who added, “Producing
quality inventories will also help senior managers better
understand their talent pool, thus contributing to stronger
human capital strategies.”
Agencies are now required to accompany their inventory
submissions with justifications for “commercial A”
designations – meaning commercial but unsuitable for
competition – rather than just upon request.
The guidance also says “core” classifications should only
be used if the loss of an individual performing that
function would result in “substantial risk to the agency’s
ability to accomplish its unique mission.”
Further, if the number of full time equivalent employees
reported deviates over five percent from the number of
budgeted FTE assigned, a written justification is required
along with the inventory.
OMB recently issued a worksheet for agencies with over
1,000 FTEs to ensure they use actual FTE strength in their
fiscal 2007 budget submissions rather than budget FTE
levels. OMB said that while FTE ceilings would not be
imposed at this time, “agencies should be aware that FTE
usage would be monitored more closely.”
