| Competitive
Sourcing |
| Management excellence lies at the
heart of fulfilling our mission at Interior. All organizations
need to periodically examine their operations to look for better
ways of serving the public. Competitive sourcing reviews are
a tool to do that. Putting ourselves to the test of competition-asking
"are we the best that we can be"-encourages creativity, efficiency,
and effectiveness.
|
| Through competitive sourcing, we are
looking over time at some activities and asking: Should we reorganize?
Might we partner with the private sector to access new technologies
or new ways of serving the public? If we contract a function,
might we save money that we can then spend on key needs?
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| In pursuing management excellence
at Interior, we are undertaking competitive reviews of about
4.3 percent of our activities through the end of 2004. Over
the past several months, we have reviewed activities associated
with about 2,525 full-time employment positions-out of a total
of 70,000 positions in the Department. These competitive reviews
have produced nearly $2.5 million in savings to date at Interior,
funds that our bureaus are reinvesting to enhance services to
the public. Department-wide, we estimate annual savings of $10-$20
million from all the studies underway or planned through FY2004.
|
| The most dramatic savings were projected
by the National Park Service's Southeastern Archeological Center
in Tallahassee, Florida. Employees re-engineered their work,
won the competition, and are saving NPS $850,000 a year, which
NPS can reinvest in its mission.
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| To date, no involuntary separation
of a permanent employee has occurred at Interior as a result
of competitive sourcing. In some instances, competitive sourcing
reviews have resulted in improved opportunities for employees.
Former NPS seasonal lifeguards at Cape Canaveral National Seashore
in Florida are now working for a contractor now providing lifeguard
services after a competitive review. These lifeguards now have
fulltime jobs with benefits.
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| What's the bottom line of competitive
reviews? The public enjoys outstanding service. Taxpayer dollars
are used wisely. Many local businesses have an opportunity to
work with our agencies. We achieve these benefits while maintaining
a dedicated federal workforce whose work is centered on efficient,
effective service.
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| For more information visit: |
 Competitive
Sourcing Benefits Parks and Public - A Guest Editorial By National
Parks Service Director Fran Mainella |
