FORMAL NOTICE OF A76 COMPETITIVE SOURCING STUDY. This notice constitutes the formal announcement and commencement of the A-76 cost comparison study for the Office of Administrative Law Judges and Adjudicatory Boards A-76 Streamlined CA Study on 9/12/2005, under the newly revised OMB Circular A-76, dated 29 May 2003. This study is expected to be completed on or earlier than December 12, 2005 at which time a formal decision shall be rendered. However, the Competitive Sourcing Official has granted an extension of 45 additional days if deemed necessary for completion. These services are located at Department of Labor offices, provided by employees of the following organizations: Administrative Review Board (ARB), Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB), Benefits Review Board (BRB), Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), and are performed by thirty-two (32 FTE) personnel. The start date is 9/12/2005, until concluded under the Streamlined Competition Process that will include an MEO. The purpose of this Streamlined w/MEO A-76 study is to determine whether it is less expensive for industry or the Government to continue to perform the operation as-is, as prescribed in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76, "Performance of Commercial Activities", which sets forth the general policy of the Government to achieve economy and enhance productivity. The circular requires Federal agencies to review their commercial activities (CA) functions under several methods to determine whether it would be more economical to continue operating them in-house (i.e., with Government employees) or under contract with commercial sources. The method chosen by the Department of Labor for Administrative Legal Support Services is a Streamlined w/MEO study. Reviews shall be conducted in accordance with Circular A-76. This synopsis serves to publish not only the official start date in FEDBIZOPPS at www.eps.gov., but to provide essential information about the study and the potential opportunity to contract for the requirement. The Competitive Sourcing Official (CSO) is Mr. Patrick Pizzella, the Agency Tender Official is Mr. Frank Clubb, and the Contracting Officer/SSA is Mr. Peter Higginbotham. The cost comparison process is as follows: in accordance with the A-76 Circular, and Federal Acquisition Regulations, the Contracting Officer will analyze market pricing information against the Government’s MEO estimate to perform the function and make a final decision. If it appears that market analyses are properly supported, showing substantive proof that the private/commercial pricing is more cost effective than the government’s, a decision may be made to issue a formal RFP and ultimately go contract. A formal cost proposal is not currently being sought from industry. If the government MEO estimate is more cost effective a decision shall be rendered to retain the function in-house. This will be the only announcement made for this effort. Any comments should be directed solely to the Director of Competitive Sourcing, Mr. Larry Clark at
[email protected]. Correct Contact Info for the Contracting Officer, Peter Higginbotham is (202)693-4543-O; (202)693-4019 Fax; email:
[email protected] .