ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13589Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13589

Promoting Efficient Spending

This executive order directs federal agencies to reduce administrative costs by 20 percent below 2010 levels by fiscal year 2013, targeting travel, IT devices, printing, executive fleet use, and promotional items. Agencies must submit cost-reduction plans to OMB within 45 days and implement controls to curb spending on these operational areas.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 70863

Impact dates

  1. FY 2013 cost reduction target (20% below FY 2010 levels)

  2. Agency reduction plans due to OMB

Key directives

  • Each agency shall establish plan to reduce combined costs by not less than 20% below FY 2010 levels in FY 2013
  • Agency plans submitted to OMB within 45 days of order date
  • Agencies encouraged to use teleconferencing/video-conferencing alternatives to travel
  • Agencies should host conferences in federal-controlled space where practicable
  • Each agency should review domestic civilian permanent change of duty station travel policies
  • Designate senior-level official for travel and conference spending controls
  • Assess IT device inventories and limit devices issued to employees
  • Consider agency-wide IT consolidation for desktop services, email, collaboration tools
  • Limit hard copy printing; presume electronic distribution
  • Limit executive transportation
  • Limit purchase of promotional items

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agency heads directed to begin planning cost reductions
  • Senior officials must be designated for travel spending oversight

Near term (90d)

  • Agency reduction plans due to OMB (45 days from signing, by December 24, 2011)
  • OMB begins monitoring implementation

Long term

  • FY 2013 target for 20% cost reduction below FY 2010 levels
  • Ongoing implementation of IT consolidation, travel alternatives, and fleet efficiency measures

Risks & tensions

  • 20% reduction target is binding ('shall') but dependent on 'applicable law' and 'availability of appropriations' (Sec. 8(b)), creating implementation uncertainty
  • Many directives use 'should' or 'encouraged' rather than 'shall', weakening enforceability
  • FY 2013 target date is distant relative to political cycle; sustainability risk if administration changes
  • Telework Enhancement Act compliance cited as constraint on IT device limits, potentially diluting savings
  • Independent agencies only 'requested' to adhere, creating uneven application across government
Executive Order 13589: Promoting Efficient Spending · Executive Orders