CRS Reviews Contracting-Out Program

Congressional interest and involvement in contracting out—what the administration calls competitive sourcing–as measured by legislation that has been enacted, has grown in recent years, according to the Congressional Research Service. Reasons for the increased interest include the FAIR Act, which requires agencies to compile lists of jobs that could or could not be converted to contract, and the White House’s push as part of the president’s management agenda. CRS noted that eight bills with competitive sourcing provisions were passed, and signed by the President, during the 108th Congress, which covered 2003-2004, and that six bills containing restrictions were enacted last year, in the first session of the 109th Congress. “Legislation has touched upon a variety of topics, such as protest rights for federal employees, competitive sourcing targets, and the circular (A-76) itself. It remains to be seen whether this trend of competitive sourcing legislation continues throughout the current Congress and, if so, what kinds of issues Members elect to address,” CRS wrote. For a compilation of those laws, go to https://www.fedweek.com/content/hfi/index.php in the hot free info section of our website.