Revised definition of 'inherently governmental' to clarify procurement policy

Agencies and contractors have been waiting for more clarity on the term "inherently governmental" for some time, but their wait may soon be over, according to Dan Gordon, administrator in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

In an address at Thursday's breakfast sponsored by the Coalition for Government Procurement, Gordon said he hopes to complete a draft policy letter which redefines inherently governmental functions by the end of March.

"The goal is to get public comment, eventually finalize this OFPP policy letter and then be sure everyone knows the rules of the game and that we are providing concrete guidance for the government and for the industry," said Gordon.

His attempt to explain the term will be the third try by OFPP in the past 20 years--the agency tried in 1992 and in a 2003 rewrite of OMB Circular A-76, reports Federal News Radio. The definition of an inherently governmental position became contentious during the Bush administration's attempts to hold public/private competition for jobs that the administration felt public servants need not perform. Since then, the Obama administration said it will decrease reliance on government contractors for work it says can be done by civil servants.

For the most part, however, Gordon stressed he is not planning major acquisition changes, but only to refine and correct "specific matters." Gordon is focusing on redundant contracts as one area for improvement. And while he will not institute mandatory strategic-sourcing blanket purchase agreements, he is looking into how the government can leverage its position as a massive buyer in order to obtain better pricing, reports Federal Computer Week.

For more on Gordon's address:
- read the Federal Computer Week article
- read the Federal News Radio article

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