William Lucyshyn

The authors present eight significant actions that the federal government can take to improve the federal acquisition process. While the report centers on acquisition in the Department of Defense (DoD) because of its dominant size in the federal budget, the eight proposed actions—which build on previous acquisition reforms including increased competition, more use of best value contracts, expanding the supplier base, and better tailoring of contract types to contract goals—apply to civilian agencies as well.

The Department of Defense launched an ambitious effort to transform its vast network of back office mission support systems in 2001. It has since invested large amounts of funding in the effort. What progress has been achieved to date? What has been its impact? This report provides answers and insights into these questions as it assesses the progress of this effort.

By examining all A-76 competitions conducted by the Department of Defense from 1994 through the first quarter of 2004, this report analyzes the impact of competitive sourcing on federal employees. The authors present three major conclusions. First, most claims of the negative impact of competitive sourcing on federal employees are unfounded. Second, the data affirmed previous research on the benefits of competitive sourcing.

This project represents a year long partnership between the IBM Endowment for the Business of Government and the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs' Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise. The Center, under the direction of Dr. Jacques Gansler, hosted a series of three Leader Forums at the Aspen Institute's Wye River Conference Centers, held over a 12-month period. The forums brought together government and business leaders to examine how the federal government could "digitally integrate" its supply chain.

Four case studies highlight how organizations have implemented outsourcing, competitive sourcing, and public-private partnerships to achieve savings and better performance. First is NASA's initiative to outsource its computer desktop maintenance to the private sector. The second illustrates the use of competitive sourcing by the IRS as part of its effort to modernize. The third, Offutt Air Force Base's decision to compete more than 1,500 positions, is an example of the military’s efforts to shift more active duty personnel from support to combat-oriented positions.