REE Competitive Sourcing (CS) Program
MICRO-FEASIBILITY FAQs
What is a Feasibility Review?
Federal agencies are not identical in terms of mission and core competencies. Agencies can take various factors into consideration to decide, in a structured manner, whether it is feasible to conduct a competition on any of its commercial functions (or “activities”).
A Feasibility Review should not be confused with an A-76 (competitive sourcing) Study since it is a pre-decisional/preliminary planning effort. Conducting a Feasibility Review does not necessarily imply that a competition will be conducted.
There are two parts to a Feasibility Review: (1) Macro-analysis Review and (2) Micro-analysis Review.
The Macro-analysis Review phase takes a look at the commercial functions/activities and FTE inventories; determines what groupings of functions are available for possible efficiencies; and conducts market research to determine if private sector expertise exists. REE completed the first part, the “Macro-analysis Review” of its commercial functions/activities in 2006.
The Micro-analysis Review phase further analyzes the data produced (in the Macro-analysis Review) to develop a “business case” as to whether or not management should decide to conduct a competition in the future.
In order to make the decision to pursue a competition and the associated time, effort and expense, this phase narrows down the research to look at key factors on specific prioritized commercial units that indicate a potential, significant payback. Although factors, such as a Civil Rights Impact Assessment, Human Capital Plan, etc. are considered, the key factor in making the business case for competition is the “Cost Benefit Analysis.”
The Cost Benefit Analysis involves comparing the costs and benefits of all options for fulfilling the function’s technical, programmatic, compliance, and management requirements.
What happens after REE completes it's Feasibility Review?
If the results of the Micro-analysis Review indicate that there is a significant potential for savings if REE pursues a formal A-76 competition, then we will initiate the “preliminary planning” phase which must be done before a competition is formally announced. The steps involved include:
- identifying study officials and teams for the project; providing orientations/training;
- gathering workload data/systems;
- developing a performance work statement and surveillance plan;
- and many other activities.
Once the planning is completed, then a formal announcement would be made directly to the impacted employees in the study, as well as a public announcement. A communications plan would be developed to assure everyone is aware of the status of the competition and what is happening throughout the process.
If the results of the Micro-analysis Review indicate that there is not a significant potential for savings, then REE will document the results and advise USDA officials that it will not be pursuing a future competition on those commercial units.
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to FAQsLast updated: 11/06/07
