Is it appropriate to do a competitive sourcing study of positions where special rates apply?
The fact that a special rate has been authorized for a position does not preclude including that position as part of competitive sourcing. The reasons for establishing a special rate and for conducting a competition are different. Special rates are established for positions when the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determines that the higher rates are necessary to assist Federal agencies to fill the positions. Special rates are usually defined by geographic area, series and grade. Thus, all the positions in a geographic area in a designated series and at the designated grade(s) are covered by the special rate regardless of the particular situation at an agency. The Federal Activities Inventory Reform (FAIR) Act of 1998 requires functions performed by Federal employees to be designated either as inherently governmental or commercial. This designation is based solely on the nature of the function, not on the individual positions that are required to perform the function. The fact tha
