Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act

The Federal Activities Inventory Reform (FAIR) Act of 1998 was signed into law on October 12, 1998 (P.L. 105-270). The FAIR Act directs Federal agencies to submit each year an inventory of all activities performed by Federal employees that are not inherently governmental in nature (i.e., commercial in nature). The agency must transmit a copy of the inventory to Congress and make it available to the public. In passing the FAIR Act, Congress did not displace longstanding Executive Branch policy regarding the performance of commercial activities. The FAIR Act inventory does not represent a policy decision on the part of the agency on which activities it may consider for competition.

The Federal government seeks to achieve economy and enhance productivity and quality through competition to obtain the best service at the least cost to the American taxpayer. Federal policy regarding the performance of commercial activities is outlined in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76, Performance of Commercial Activities. Specific guidance regarding the implementation of this policy is provided by the March 1996 Revised Supplemental Handbook to the circular and by agency consultation with OMB. The FAIR Act codified some of that guidance into law.

Explanation of current codes used in inventory fields. (Codes may not apply to all prior years.)

These inventories are in Adobe Acrobat format.

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