October 24, 2003   SENATE APPROVES COLLINS’ CONTRACTING AMENDMENT IN TREASURY-POSTAL SPENDING BILL   WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Senate late yesterday approved a proposal by Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) that would level the playing field for federal employee groups to compete with outside contractors to retain their jobs. The amendment was included during floor debate on the FY 2004 Transportation, Treasury, and General Government Appropriations bill. “The current competitive sourcing regulations, while an improvement over the previous version, could still disadvantage federal workers forced to undergo so-called ‘streamlined’ competition,” said Senator Collins, whose committee has jurisdiction over federal outsourcing and contracting issues. “By making this change, we are working to ensure that the competitive sourcing process is fair and efficient and does not usher in change just for change’s sake.” The amendment would revise Circular A-76, which sets standards for competitive sourcing of government activities. Specifically, Senator Collins’ amendment would restore the 10 percent advantage for the in-house bidder in competitions of more than 10 employees. “Restoring the 10 percent differential is critical,” Senator Collins said, “because if an outside contractor can’t save the government at least 10 percent on performing a particular function, then the costs associated with dislocation and change simply aren’t worth it.” The Collins amendment was cosponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Tom Carper (D-DE).   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 October 2003 Press Releases   October 31 - Education Secretary Pledges to Work With Chairman Collins To Combat Use of Diploma Mill Degrees   October 24 current Press Release   October 24 - Sen. Collins Seeks Explanation of Why Contracting Waivers Have Been Granted to MCI   October 23 - Sen. Collins Pledges to Expedite Admiral Loy’s Nomination   October 22 - Committee Approves Bills Affecting Homeland Security, the Federal Workforce, and D.C.   October 22 - Committee Approves Collins’ Bill to Provide Cutting Edge Counterterrorism Equipment to Communities   October 22 - Committee Approves Collins’ Bill to Provide Budget Autonomy to the District of Columbia   October 21 - Federal Electronic Rulemaking Progresses, But More Work is Needed   October 20 - Collins Commends Small Business Administration for Issuing New Contracting Regulations   October 17 - DOD Privacy Protections Questioned by Bipartisan Trio; Collection of JetBlue Passenger Information May Have Violated the Law   October 17 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Create National Women’s History Museum   October 15 - Sen. Collins Takes Steps to Strengthen U.S. Seaports Against Terrorist Attacks   October 9 - Chairman Collins Commends FDA for Issuing New Food Safety Regulations   October 2 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Approves Department of Homeland Security Nomination   October 2 - Chairman Collins Introduces Bill to Improve Mental Health Services for Children   October 1 - Chairman Collins Calls for Federal Real Property Reform
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