HHS Plans Outsourcing Studies The Department of Health and Human Services is using an expedited streamlined cost comparison to decide whether to outsource work at several small installations in the Washington, DC, area. Notices were posted on FedBizOpps announcing the cost comparisons, but no decisions have been made on whether to solicit bids from contractors, said Creighton Glantz, acting director of competitive sourcing. He said the largest unit being studied is a supply management warehouse with about 20 employees. Under the expedited streamlined cost comparison, the department compares its current in-house cost for performing the work with the cost of four existing federal contracts for similar work. If the contractor cost is found to be lower, a statement of work will be prepared and contractors will be invited to bid, Glantz said. Cost comparisons are in progress for the following functions: •information technology services for the Health Resources and Services Administration; •loan benefits and entitlement analysis for the Health Resources and Services Administration; •grants management review for the Health Resources and Services Administration; •accounting functions for grants accounting, with a decision expected by the end of May on whether to outsource; •accounting functions for obligation funds control, with a decision expected by the end of May on whether to outsource; •warehouse functions and supply management, with a decision expected by the end of June on whether to outsource; •systems integrity and quality assurance; and •technical support/telecommunications, with a decision expected by the end of June on whether to outsource.