| The role of OMB Circular A-76 in mandating an | | | | said and done), Americans want to have the |
| integrated approach to quality assurance is a key | | | | assurance that government agencies are held |
| battle ground in winning the war for complete | | | | accountable for responsible spending of their tax |
| government accountability and transparency. Although | | | | money. There is no mistaking the very public demand |
| adopting stringent measures to insure quality | | | | that funds be spent wisely, and not wastefully. |
| assurance is important in all businesses, it is especially | | | | Because of the complex history surrounding A-76 |
| crucial as it relates to public officials, the governmental | | | | policy (first adopted in 1966), and the numerous and |
| agencies they represent, and the public sector | | | | quite substantive revisions to the Circular over the |
| contractors they interface with. | | | | years, it is well advised that government agencies |
| The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) | | | | seek the expertise of experienced A-76 consultancies. |
| Circular A-76 outlines the guidelines which determine | | | | Knowledgeable A-76 consultants can engage with an |
| which commercial activities can be conducted internally | | | | agency at every phase of the pre and post award |
| by an agency, as contrasted with which activities are | | | | competition process to insure compliance, |
| deemed as competitive with private sector companies | | | | accountability and transparency. |
| and thus need to be subject to competition, the rules | | | | There is little doubt that regardless of which |
| governing the award competition, and post award | | | | administration secures the White House in the coming |
| competition accountability provisions to insure that | | | | election, that insuring government accountability and |
| agencies and private sector contractors fulfill their | | | | transparency will be a priority. This is why making sure |
| respective requirements. | | | | that an agency is A-76 compliant will take-on a |
| The demand for accountability and transparency | | | | heightened sense of importance. If governmental |
| surrounding Public-Private commerce has never been | | | | agencies wish to build rapport and earn the trust of |
| greater. Moreover the public perception of the | | | | Americans, focusing on quality assurance when |
| importance of this issue has perhaps never been | | | | outsourcing projects is the first step. When |
| higher. If the pressure wasn't already on public officials | | | | government agencies use American citizen's money |
| (elected and appointed), as well as the governmental | | | | well, they not only get the most out of each dollar but |
| agencies themselves, to increase the levels of | | | | they give Americans they affirmation they so |
| accountability and transparency it certainly is now. | | | | desperately want from their elected and appointed |
| With all the drama surrounding the recent Bailout | | | | officials. |
| (which will well exceed $1 Trillion Dollars before all is | | | | |