Standard A-76 Process Overview

When to Conduct a Standard Competition

An agency shall use either a streamlined or standard competition if, on the start date, a commercial activity is performed by:

1. The agency with an aggregate of 65 or fewer FTEs and/or any number of military personnel; or
2. A private sector or public reimbursable source and the agency cost estimate (for a streamlined competition) or the agency tender (for a standard competition) will include an aggregate of 65 or fewer FTEs.

If the competition includes less than 65 FTEs, use the Streamlined Competition Process time limit.  A standard competition shall not exceed 12 months from public announcement (start date) to performance decision (end date) unless the CSO (without delegation) grants a time limit waiver. Before the public announcement of each standard competition, the CSO may grant a time limit waiver, in writing, allowing a specific standard competition to exceed the 12 month time limit by no more than 6 months, for a maximum of 18 months from public announcement (start date) to performance decision (end date). The CSO may only grant a time limit waiver if the CSO (a) expects the standard competition to be particularly complex; (b) signs the time limit waiver before public announcement; and (c) provides a copy of the time limit waiver to the Deputy Director for Management, OMB, before public announcement. If an agency exceeds these time limits, including any extension that is the subject of the CSO’s waiver, the CSO (without delegation) shall notify the Deputy Director for Management, OMB, in writing. Please click on a step in the A-76 Process model below for a description of that step.