What is the basic process for conducting a Competitive Sourcing study*?
A Competitive Sourcing process should begin with a Planning Phase that should result in a clear understanding of the scope of services that will be subjected to competition. Also, during this phase, other planning documents should be prepared to ensure that the study is successful. Once an announcement is made to affected employees that their function is being subjected to Competitive Sourcing, the Acquisition Phase can commence. The key product that is developed during the Acquisition Phase is a Performance Work Statement (PWS) that specifies the requirements of the scope of services subject to competition. The PWS is rolled into a solicitation and this is the document that commercial offerors use to formulate a proposal. Meanwhile, a Management Study Phase is underway, during which a Government team develops a Most Efficient Organization (MEO), representing the Government in-house workforce. Both the MEO and commercial offeror proposals must be based upon the same PWS. Under current
