II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3676 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 12, 2012 Mr. Akaka introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To promote high-quality, cost-efficient, and effective administrative support services to agencies overseas.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Reducing Duplication Overseas Act of 2012.

2.

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to promote high-quality, cost-efficient, and effective administrative support services to agencies overseas.

3.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Agency

The term agency means a department, agency, or independent establishment in the executive branch performing any foreign affairs functions. (2)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; (B)the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; (C)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (D)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; (E)the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and (F)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (3)

International cooperative administrative support services system

The term International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system means the mechanism established pursuant to section 23 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2695) by which the United States Government manages and funds administrative support services at overseas posts. (4)

International cooperative administrative support services customer agencies

The term International Cooperative Administrative Support Services customer agencies means agencies participating in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system. (5)

International cooperative administrative support services executive board

The term International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board means the highest-level International Cooperative Administrative Support Services policy-making body comprised of senior representatives of agencies participating in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system.

4.

Participation in International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system

(a)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, each agency with operations overseas under the authority of the Chief of Mission pursuant to section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3927) shall participate in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system for purposes of obtaining household furniture, furnishings, and appliance pools services, motor pool services, and management services unless— (1)the agency provides a detailed explanation for evaluation and decision by the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board that describes— (A)how the agency will provide the service outside of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system; (B)the cost to the agency of the service; and (C)how providing the service outside the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system will not increase overall costs to the United States Government; or (2)the agency submits a detailed explanation for evaluation and decision by the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board certifying that the mission of the agency cannot be achieved by such participation in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system. (b)

Rule of construction

The motor pool services requirement under subsection (a) applies to administrative services, and shall not be construed as superseding, removing, or limiting any statutory or programmatic requirements related to agency use or procurement of vehicles.

5.

Use of alternate service providers

The International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board shall allow an agency to act as an alternate service provider for administrative services at an overseas post in place of the existing International Cooperative Administrative Support Services provider for purposes of reducing overall costs to the United States Government if the agency— (1)demonstrates through a business case that it can provide the administrative service more efficiently; and (2)agrees to provide the administrative service to all other International Cooperative Administrative Support Services customer agencies at the overseas post.

6.

Reporting requirements

(a)

Biennial report

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system. (2)

Content

The report required under paragraph (1) shall— (A)establish performance goals to define the level of performance to be achieved in providing efficient, effective, and equitable administrative services to International Cooperative Administrative Support Services customer agencies; (B)establish a balanced set of performance indicators to be used in measuring or assessing progress toward each performance goal; (C)describe how the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data used to measure progress; and (D)identify strategies and the resources required to achieve performance goals. (b)

Comptroller general review

(1)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a review of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system. (2)

Content

The review required under paragraph (1) shall include— (A)an evaluation of whether requiring agencies to participate in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system for household furniture, furnishings, and appliance pools services and motor pools services has increased cost-efficiency and reduced administrative redundancies; (B)recommendations, if warranted, for further consolidation of services in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system; (C)an evaluation of how implementation of this Act is affecting the performance of International Cooperative Administrative Support Services customer agencies; and (D)recommendations, if warranted, for improving the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system and implementing this Act.