The U.S. Navy today announced the initiation of a competition to determine the feasibility and economy of converting various support functions to contractor performance at the Naval Air Depot located aboard MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.

Currently, 68 civilian positions are affected by the competition. Workers occupying the positions provide administrative support services for the depot

A decision to convert these functions to contract will be made only if the competition indicates that a significant savings of tax dollars can be achieved. If such a decision is made, Congress and the public will be notified of the results of the competition.

Any employee adversely affected will receive assistance from Federal placement programs, including transfer rights to other positions in the Department of Defense or to other Federal agencies, at government expense, if necessary.

The competition is under the cognizance of the Naval Air Systems Command located at Patuxent River, Md.