Competitive Sourcing

Q: How do agencies decide which jobs to put up for competition?

A: They inventory jobs that are considered "commercial," such as cafeteria and maintenance work.

Q: How many jobs are eligible for competition?

A: In 2003, the White House estimated that 858,000 federal jobs were commercial and about half were ripe for competition.

Q: How does the process work?

A: Agencies decide which jobs contractors may bid on. The federal employees who do the work assemble their own in-house bid. Often a few of them are assigned full time to work on it, sometimes with the help of outside consultants. Taxpayers pick up the tab.

Q: How is a winner determined?

A: To win, a contractor must show savings of $10 million or 10 percent savings over current in-house costs.

Q: How long does the process take?

A: Competitions range from a few months to two years.

Q: What happens when federal employees lose?

A: In most cases, they can apply for jobs with the contractor.

Sources: Office of Management and Budget, Washington Post research