Article 26
Consultants and Experts and Contracting Out
History

Section 1. Consultants and Experts

a. The Department acknowledges its responsibility to adhere to law and applicable Government-wide regulations regarding the use of experts and consultants.
b. The Department will provide to Local 12, during March and September of each year, a list of experts and consultants who are occupying positions in the bargaining unit.

Section 2. Contracts

a. The Department will notify the Union as soon as possible of any cost comparison study which may impact on bargaining unit employees pursuant to law and applicable Government-wide regulations.
b. The Union's recommendations will be solicited and reviewed during the study concerning the most efficient organization and the performance work statement.
c. The Department will provide Local 12 a copy of the performance work statement and contract solicitation document when it is released by the contracting officer.
d. If it is decided to contract out work currently being performed by bargaining unit employees, the Union will be notified. After notification, if the Union requests, the parties will meet to negotiate over the impact and implementation of the decision on bargaining unit employees.
e. The Department will annually provide to Local 12 a list of the Department's inventory of its commercial activities as currently required by applicable Government-wide regulations.