10 Major

A-76 Rule Changes Agencies Should Prepare For:

 1 - “Best Value” Standards Using Cost/Technical Tradeoff or Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Methods

 2 - 12-Month Time Limits and Sanctions on Competitions

 3 - Changes to Cost Estimates and Evaluations to Ensure “Cost Realism”

 4 - New Classification Rules for FAIR Act Inventories

 5 - Performance Standards and Innovation Incentives in the PWS/QASP

 6 - Enhanced Contract Monitoring and Accountability

 7 - New Competitive Sourcing Staffing Requirements

 8 - GAO Appeal Rights for Employees

 9 - Streamlined “Integrated” Competitions for IT Activities Under the FAR

 10 - New Competition Requirements for ISSAs

The new rules—defined under OMB Circular A-76—are designed to make the process for managing public-private competitions and direct conversion outsourcing more streamlined, cost-efficient and performance-based.  These changes, combined with the competition targets and outsourcing initiatives defined in the President’s Management Agenda, will require all federal agencies to more actively implement a comprehensive program for regularly competing their commercial activities.

To assist your agency in implementing these new changes and requirements, you are invited to join Administration officials, agency competitive sourcing managers and national outsourcing experts on February 10-12, 2003 at the 2003 Competitive Sourcing Summit presented by the Performance Institute in Arlington, VA. 

Learn From the Leaders Who Helped Shape the New Rules for Competitive Sourcing

This timely summit will provide you with up-to-date information on the new competitive sourcing developments and how to use these changes to improve the efficiency of your agency.  Hear directly from some of the leaders who helped shape the new competitive sourcing process—from members of the Commercial Activities Panel (CAP) to governmental and non-governmental competition experts involved in the A-76 revision process.  Experts in performance-based competitive sourcing will present practical techniques to help you fully implement the changes in the new A-76 process.

Sessions Focusing on the 10 Most Important Changes in the New A-76 Rules

The new A-76 process contains numerous changes throughout to the process, players, requirements, and criteria for competitive sourcing.  While all of the changes must be understood and implemented, there are 10 key changes that every agency must master to ensure full compliance (see sidebar).  Sessions will focus on these major changes—providing not only an overview of the requirements but providing examples and tips for agency implementation. 

Master the Design and Implementation of “Best Value” Competitions

Sessions are designed to walk through A-76 changes for major parts of the competition process, including preparation of the PWS/QASP, source selection using Sealed Bid and Negotiated Bid, and evaluation of bids under the “Cost/Technical Tradeoff” method and the “Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable” method.  In order to fully evaluate “best value,” the conference will detail ways to improve the performance standards used in competitive sourcing while maintaining “cost realism.”

Ensure Your Agency Meets New Requirements for a Streamlined Process

The most important elements in the new A-76 process are the accountability provisions being placed on agencies to meet strict timelines for competitions while improving the outcomes of the process.  To meet these requirements, your agency must be prepared.  By attending this event, you ensure that your agency has the tools—and the mastery of the new sourcing rules—to stay ahead of the new competitive sourcing process. 

As this is the very first forum of the year examining the new A-76 process, space will be limited at this event.  Register today by calling 703-894-0481 or visit us online at www.competitive-government.org for additional information.