FAIR Act Inventory
User's Guide
Definitions
August 15, 2000
Agencies are required to use a common format and data order for Year 2000 FAIR Act
Inventory submissions. Upon OMB's Federal Register notification of the release of the inventory to
the public and the Congress, agencies are required to make their inventory available through their
Internet WEB site.
a. Organization Unit. - This is an alpha
designation for the agency, sub-agency and/or bureau (alphanumeric
codes will be accepted, if warranted). A full list of all codes is
attached to the agency's inventory.
b. State(s) - The State(s) where the function is
performed is identified within the United States by their common two
letter mail code.
c. Location(s) - The place where the activity is performed (city, town, or military base).
Some agencies have aggregated commercial activities with multiple locations, in order to
facilitate reporting or the consideration of the activity as a commercial/contractible
entity. In many cases, there are a number of locations with very few FTE associated
with that function at any one location. Agencies have aggregated these
locations to create a reasonably contractible scope of work, and to facilitate the
restructuring of the activity on a regional or even nationwide basis.
d. FTE - The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) for Federal employees performing
the commercial activity. An FTE equates to 2080 hours of employment. A single FTE
could represent a number of part-time or temporary employees.
e. Activity/Function Code - The Function Code that best describes the type of activity
performed. All function codes are approved by OMB.
The FAIR Act Commercial Function Codes build upon pre-existing OMB Circular A-76 Commercial Activities Inventory Function Codes.
Use of the A-76 Functions Codes facilitated the development and submission of
the 1999 and Year 2000 Fair Act inventories. Agencies were able to use existing
reporting systems which, in the case of the Department of Defense and other agencies,
were extensive.
In order to maintain consistency, OMB issues new FAIR Act Function Codes. The
Year 2000 inventory, for example, includes several new Function Codes requested by
the agencies - within the original A-76 alph-numeric Function Code system. These
additional codes were created to facilitate reporting on the list and, in many cases, to
clarify the type of work being performed. A complete list of all Year 2000 Fair Act
Function Codes is provided as a part of this Guide.
f. Reason Code - The Reason (Status) Code that best describes the status of the
commercial FTE. This Guide provides expanded definitions and usage of the Reason
Codes.
The "Reason Codes" originated in OMB's A-76 Revised Supplemental Handbook and
were provided to help agencies describe each of the commercial activities in their
inventories. The Reason Codes convey important information regarding the
agencies review of that activity.
g. Year the Activity First Appeared on the Commercial Activities Inventory - All
four digits of the fiscal year the activity first appeared on the FAIR Act inventory. All
entries that appeared in the 1999 Inventory should be entered as 1999. Activities that
first appear in the 2000 Inventory should be entered as 2000.
h. Responsible Official - The name, position title and phone number of the Federal
employee responsible for the activity or the agency contact person from whom
additional information about the activity may be obtained.
i. Year of Cost Comparison or Conversion (if applicable) - All four digits of the most
recent fiscal year that an A-76 cost comparison or direct conversion was completed.
j. FTE Savings (if applicable) - The FTE savings generated by a cost comparison
(including MEO savings), a direct conversion to contract, a termination or a
privatization decision.
k. Estimated Annualized Cost Comparison Dollar Savings (if applicable) - The
estimated annual savings that reflect the difference between the in-house bid MEO and
the low contract offer.
l. Date of Completed Post MEO Performance Review (if applicable) - The date
that the most recent Post MEO performance review was completed.
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