[Federal Register: March 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 57)]
[Notices]
[Page 16245-16246]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr01-81]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
Commercial Activities Panel
AGENCY: General Accounting Office.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 832 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001 requires the Comptroller General to convene a panel of
experts to study the transfer of commercial activities currently
performed by government employees to federal contractors, a procedure
commonly known as ``contracting out'' or ``outsourcing.'' Selection of
panel members is proceeding, and the formation of the panel will be
announced in a subsequent Federal Register notice. To ensure that the
panel considers the full array of possible issues and a wide range of
views, this notice seeks public input on issues the panel should
address. This notice also seeks reference to or copies of written
materials on topics related to outsourcing. The General Accounting
Office encourages input from all interested parties, including federal
government agencies, federal employees or their representatives,
industry groups, labor unions, and individuals. All submissions
received will be reviewed for consideration by the panel.
[[Page 16246]]
The authorization act requires the Comptroller General to submit the
panel's report to Congress by May 1, 2002.
DATES: Submit comments and submissions on or before May 7, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically to GAO at: A76panel@gao.gov.
Send comments and submissions to the General Accounting Office, Office
of General Counsel, Room 7476, 441 G St. NW., Washington, DC 20548,
Attention: William T. Woods. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for other
information about electronic filing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William T. Woods, Project Director,
(202) 512-8214; E-mail: woodsw@gao.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 832 of the Floyd D. Spence National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-398,
Oct. 30, 2000, directs the Comptroller General of the United States to
convene a panel of experts to study the policies and procedures
governing the transfer of commercial activities for the federal
government from government personnel to a federal contractor. The
panel's study is to include a review of: (1) Procedures for determining
whether functions should continue to be performed by government
personnel; (2) procedures for comparing the costs of performing
functions by government personnel with the costs of performing those
functions by federal contractors; (3) implementation by the Department
of Defense of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (Pub.
L. 105-270, 112 Stat. 2382, 31 U.S.C. 501 note); and (4) procedures of
the Department of Defense for public-private competitions under Office
of Management and Budget Circular A-76. By May 1, 2002, the Comptroller
General must submit to Congress a report of the panel on the results of
the study, including recommended changes with regard to implementing
policies and enactment of legislation.
The Act requires the Comptroller General or a person within GAO
designated by him to serve as the panel's chairman. The Comptroller
General must appoint highly qualified and knowledgeable persons to
serve on the panel and must ensure that the following entities receive
fair representation on the panel: (1) The Department of Defense; (2)
persons in private industry; (3) federal labor organizations; and (4)
the Office of Management and Budget.
The General Accounting Office is in the process of forming a panel
to conduct the study. The GAO issued a Federal Register notice on
December 1, 2000, 65 FR 75288, inviting the public to submit
suggestions on the composition of the panel. The GAO invited interested
parties to submit suggestions on who should serve on the panel,
specific agencies and organizations that should be represented, and the
qualifications of panel members. In response to this notice, the GAO
received a variety of comments on the composition of the panel, as well
as numerous nominations of individuals to serve on the panel. The
Comptroller General is in the process of reviewing these comments and
nominations. Formation of the panel will be announced in a subsequent
Federal Register notice.
In preparing for the panel's discussions, the GAO is asking now for
input from interested parties, including federal government agencies,
federal employees or their representatives, industry groups, labor
unions, and individuals. At this time, the GAO is seeking comments
identifying significant sourcing issues, as well as references to or
copies of written materials related to these issues, including: (1)
Determining which functions should be performed by the government and
which functions are potential candidates for outsourcing; (2) options,
mechanisms, and best practices for determining how commercial
activities should be performed; and (3) issues involving Office of
Management and Budget Circular A-76. GAO invites submission of
comments, articles, and publications on these issues or other key
topics the panel should address. As the panel proceeds with its work,
it will solicit public comments on relevant issues through a variety of
means, including public hearings.
Electronic Access and Filing
This notice is available on GAO's website at http://www.gao.gov
under ``Commercial Activities Panel.'' Comments and suggestions on the
issues that should be addressed and references to or copies of written
materials may be submitted by sending either an E-mail to
A76panel@gao.gov or a hard copy to the General Accounting Office,
Office of General Counsel, Room 7476, 441 G St. NW., Washington, DC
20548, Attention: William T. Woods.
Jack L. Brock, Jr.,
Managing Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, General
Accounting Office.
[FR Doc. 01-7238 Filed 3-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1610-02-P