[ethbro]

The article gives short shrift to the reason this was originally put in place: to incentivize the GSA to aggressively outsource the government.

The GSA, like the departments they're serving, are filled by government employees.

Absent an incentive structure, a radical new executive commandment like "Outsource all the things" would get a yawn, papers filed, and absolutely no mass action.

And unlike private industry, I believe performance bonuses aren't really an option for government employees.

The flip side of job security is decreased initiative.