FederalDaily - December 13, 2005
Discrepancy in DoD Outsourcing Methodology
In the competition process for federal employees versus private companies,
the methodologies used by the Department of Defense (DoD) components differed,
leaving the process open to inconsistencies, according to a Government Accountability
Office (GAO) report. The 2005 Defense Appropriations Act prohibited advantages
for private firms that offer no health benefits or fewer benefits than federal
agencies. Most—but not all—DoD agencies used the Office of Management
and Budget Circular A-76 calculation of 5.5 percent of labor costs for the
health benefits figure to add to private firm proposals. One example of a discrepancy
was the Defense Logistics Agency, which used a different process to determine
the monthly health benefits figure offered by the private company. GAO concluded
that the discrepancies did not affect any competitive decisions, but stressed
that the process needed uniformity and urged DoD to enforce a department-wide
methodology. The full report is available at www.gao.gov/new.items/d0672.pdf.
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OPM Human Resources Conference Announced
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will host its 2006 Federal Workforce
Conference Feb. 27– March 2, 2006. The conference will focus on issues
and initiatives regarding human capital management. The event will be held
at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. “Our objective is
to help our HR professionals prepare for a shift in roles that requires them
to operate with fewer rules and greater responsibility for results,” said
Michael Beckmann, acting OPM deputy associate director. Discussed topics will
include government transformation to performance management and a futuristic
look at human resources. There will also be focused sessions on four topics:
- the power of benefits;
- leadership for transforming organizations;
- practical strategies for human capital management; and
- background investigations.
For more information, visit http://apps.opm.gov/conference/.
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NASA to Work with DHS
NASA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) to collaborate on applicable research and development activities.
Under the agreement NASA’s Science and Technology division will be able
to provide expertise and resources to develop and improve systems involved
in protecting the nation, NASA stated. Dr. Charles McQueary, DHS under secretary
for science and technology, stated, "This collaboration will add to the
resources we need to adapt and develop technologies that keep us one step ahead
of those who intend to do this country harm." Each project will be governed
by an implementing agreement with specific regulations, transfer of funds and
authorization for use of facilities and personnel.
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