Assessing the Impact of Recent Competition Related Legislation on the Workload of Systems Contracting Personnel at Air Force Systems Command Product Divisions

摘要

Public Law 98-369, The Competition in Contracting Act and Public Law 98-72, Commerce Business Daily, were recently enacted in response to horror stories regarding the Defense Department's supposed overspending on weapon systems and support equipment acquisitions. These two laws have brought sweeping changes to the Government acquisition process, in terms of new requirements for the processing of sole source and other less fully competitive actions, and in terms of the activities required to promote, enhance and sustain competitive procurement. Although these have already been cost avoidance success stories resulting from this increased use of competition, very little attention has been given to the cost impact of the increased workload on the contracting personnel implementing the revised procedures. This thesis focused on the changes in manhours, and payroll and benefit costs, required to comply with theses new laws within Air Force systems buying activities.