Several restrictions on the contracting-out process would be continued for another year under the Transportation-Treasury bill. The measure that is awaiting a Senate vote mirrors language in the House-passed version that would require that federal employees be allowed to reorganize into a “most efficient organization” before private sector bids are considered, and that for functions employing 10 or more in-house employees, work would be contracted out only if the contractor’s bid was at least 10 percent or $10 million lower. Legislation enacted last year imposed such restrictions permanently on the Defense Department; the appropriations language applies to other departments and agencies. The spending bill also encourages agencies to bring contracted work in-house under procedures similar to those used to contract work out under OMB Circular A-76.