While many are familiar with examining private-sector sources and solutions as part of market research, looking to the public-sector is not as common a practice. Yet it makes a great deal of sense on several levels.

First, there is an increased interest in cross-agency cooperation and collaboration. If the need is for help desk support, for example, many federal agencies have "solved" that problem and could potentially provide services through an interagency agreement or through an existing multiple-award contract vehicle. Alternatively, it could be that to provide seamless services to the public, two or more agencies need to team together to acquire a solution.

Second, agencies with similar needs may be able to provide lessons learned and best practices. For example, the Department of Commerce COMMITS office has frequently briefed other agencies on the process of establishing a Government-wide Agency Contract (GWAC). (See www.contractdirectory.gov ) Another agency that we are aware of is now conducting public-sector market research about seat management implementation in the federal government. So it is important for the integrated project team to talk to their counterparts in other agencies. Taking the time to do so may help avert problems that could otherwise arise in the acquisition.