diff --git a/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_finalize.c b/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_finalize.c
index 557ba24052..bf98a99726 100644
--- a/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_finalize.c
+++ b/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_finalize.c
@@ -150,8 +150,8 @@ int ompi_mpi_finalize(void)
     /*
      * Wait for everyone to get here
      */
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(NULL, NULL, 0, NULL,
-                                 orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg, NULL))) {
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->jobid, false,
+                                              NULL, orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg))) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ret);
         return ret;
     }
@@ -291,8 +291,8 @@ int ompi_mpi_finalize(void)
      * the RTE while the smr is trying to do the update - which causes
      * an ugly race condition
      */
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(NULL, NULL, 0, NULL,
-                                 orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg, NULL))) {
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->jobid, false,
+                                              NULL, orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg))) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ret);
         return ret;
     }
diff --git a/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_init.c b/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_init.c
index 2d8c93c0f5..ab2459e334 100644
--- a/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_init.c
+++ b/ompi/runtime/ompi_mpi_init.c
@@ -523,9 +523,13 @@ int ompi_mpi_init(int argc, char **argv, int requested, int *provided)
                                (ompistop.tv_usec - ompistart.tv_usec)));
     }
     
-    /* FIRST BARRIER - WAIT FOR MSG FROM RMGR_PROC_STAGE_GATE_MGR TO ARRIVE */
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(NULL, NULL, 0, NULL,
-                                 orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg, NULL))) {
+    /* FIRST BARRIER - WAIT FOR MSG FROM RMGR_PROC_STAGE_GATE_MGR TO ARRIVE.
+     * We pass a "process_first" flag of "true" to indicate that we need to
+     * process the STG1 message prior to sending it along the xcast chain
+     * as this message contains all the oob contact info we need!
+     */
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->jobid, true,
+                                              NULL, orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg))) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ret);
         error = "ompi_mpi_init: failed to see all procs register\n";
         goto error;
@@ -640,8 +644,8 @@ int ompi_mpi_init(int argc, char **argv, int requested, int *provided)
     /* Second barrier -- wait for message from
        RMGR_PROC_STAGE_GATE_MGR to arrive */
 
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(NULL, NULL, 0, NULL,
-                                 orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg, NULL))) {
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (ret = orte_rml.xcast(ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->jobid, false,
+                                              NULL, orte_gpr.deliver_notify_msg))) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ret);
         error = "ompi_mpi_init: failed to see all procs register\n";
         goto error;
diff --git a/orte/mca/gpr/proxy/gpr_proxy_compound_cmd.c b/orte/mca/gpr/proxy/gpr_proxy_compound_cmd.c
index 5558fcd59f..3e5ee3ab79 100644
--- a/orte/mca/gpr/proxy/gpr_proxy_compound_cmd.c
+++ b/orte/mca/gpr/proxy/gpr_proxy_compound_cmd.c
@@ -114,11 +114,6 @@ int orte_gpr_proxy_exec_compound_cmd(void)
     OPAL_THREAD_LOCK(&orte_gpr_proxy_globals.wait_for_compound_mutex);
     rc = ORTE_SUCCESS;
     
-    if (orte_gpr_proxy_globals.timing) {
-        opal_output(0, "gpr_proxy [%ld]: compound cmd size %lu", (long)ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->vpid,
-                    (unsigned long)orte_gpr_proxy_globals.compound_cmd->bytes_used);
-    }
-    
     if (0 > orte_rml.send_buffer(orte_process_info.gpr_replica, orte_gpr_proxy_globals.compound_cmd, ORTE_RML_TAG_GPR, 0)) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERR_COMM_FAILURE);
         rc = ORTE_ERR_COMM_FAILURE;
diff --git a/orte/mca/oob/base/base.h b/orte/mca/oob/base/base.h
index 8a1ac8468a..00ae62ebc1 100644
--- a/orte/mca/oob/base/base.h
+++ b/orte/mca/oob/base/base.h
@@ -400,12 +400,10 @@ ORTE_DECLSPEC int mca_oob_recv_packed_nb(
  *  continuing to forward data along the distribution tree.
  */
 
-ORTE_DECLSPEC int mca_oob_xcast(
-    orte_process_name_t* root,
-    orte_process_name_t* peers,
-    orte_std_cntr_t num_peers,
-    orte_buffer_t* buffer,
-    orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc);
+ORTE_DECLSPEC int mca_oob_xcast(orte_jobid_t job,
+                                bool process_first,
+                                orte_buffer_t* buffer,
+                                orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc);
 
 /*
  * Callback on exception condition.
diff --git a/orte/mca/oob/base/oob_base_xcast.c b/orte/mca/oob/base/oob_base_xcast.c
index 01ec3f5b5f..8ade7f4604 100644
--- a/orte/mca/oob/base/oob_base_xcast.c
+++ b/orte/mca/oob/base/oob_base_xcast.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 #include "opal/threads/condition.h"
 #include "opal/util/output.h"
+#include "opal/util/bit_ops.h"
 
 #include "orte/util/proc_info.h"
 #include "orte/dss/dss.h"
@@ -38,139 +39,137 @@
 
 
 /**
- *  A "broadcast-like" function over the specified set of peers.
- *  @param  root    The process acting as the root of the broadcast.
- *  @param  peers   The list of processes receiving the broadcast (excluding root).
+ *  A "broadcast-like" function to a job's processes.
+ *  @param  jobid   The job whose processes are to receive the message
+ *  @param  process_first   Whether or not to process the message locally before sending it on
  *  @param  buffer  The data to broadcast - only significant at root.
  *  @param  cbfunc  Callback function on receipt of data - not significant at root.
- *
- *  Note that the callback function is provided so that the data can be
- *  received and interpreted by the application prior to the broadcast
- *  continuing to forward data along the distribution tree.
  */
 
+static opal_mutex_t xcastmutex;
+static int xcast_bitmap, bitmap_save;
+static bool bitmap_init = false;
 
-struct mca_oob_xcast_t {
-    opal_object_t super;
-    opal_mutex_t mutex;
-    opal_condition_t cond;
-    orte_std_cntr_t counter;
-};
-typedef struct mca_oob_xcast_t mca_oob_xcast_t;
-
-static void mca_oob_xcast_construct(mca_oob_xcast_t* xcast)
-{
-    OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&xcast->mutex, opal_mutex_t);
-    OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&xcast->cond, opal_condition_t);
-}
-
-static void mca_oob_xcast_destruct(mca_oob_xcast_t* xcast)
-{
-    OBJ_DESTRUCT(&xcast->mutex);
-    OBJ_DESTRUCT(&xcast->cond);
-}
-
-static OBJ_CLASS_INSTANCE(
-    mca_oob_xcast_t,
-    opal_object_t,
-    mca_oob_xcast_construct,
-    mca_oob_xcast_destruct);
-
-static void mca_oob_xcast_cb(int status, orte_process_name_t* peer, orte_buffer_t* buffer, int tag, void* cbdata)
-{
-    mca_oob_xcast_t* xcast = (mca_oob_xcast_t*)cbdata;
-    OPAL_THREAD_LOCK(&xcast->mutex);
-    if(--xcast->counter == 0) {
-        opal_condition_signal(&xcast->cond);
-    }
-    OPAL_THREAD_UNLOCK(&xcast->mutex);
-}
-
-
-int mca_oob_xcast(
-    orte_process_name_t* root,
-    orte_process_name_t* peers,
-    orte_std_cntr_t num_peers,
-    orte_buffer_t* buffer,
-    orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc)
+int mca_oob_xcast(orte_jobid_t job,
+                  bool process_first,
+                  orte_buffer_t* buffer,
+                  orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc)
 {
     orte_std_cntr_t i;
     int rc;
     int tag = ORTE_RML_TAG_XCAST;
-    int status;
-    orte_proc_state_t state;
-    struct timeval sendstart, sendstop;
+    int peer, size, rank, hibit, mask;
+    orte_buffer_t rbuf, sbuf;
+    orte_gpr_notify_message_t *msg;
+    orte_process_name_t target;
 
-    /* check to see if I am the root process name */
-    if(NULL != root && ORTE_EQUAL == orte_dss.compare(root, orte_process_info.my_name, ORTE_NAME)) {
-        mca_oob_xcast_t *xcast = OBJ_NEW(mca_oob_xcast_t);
-        xcast->counter = num_peers;
-        
-        /* check for timing request - if so, we want to printout the size of the message being sent */
-        if (orte_oob_base_timing) {
-            opal_output(0, "oob_xcast: message size is %lu bytes", (unsigned long)buffer->bytes_used);
-            gettimeofday(&sendstart, NULL);
-        }
-        
-        for(i=0; i<num_peers; i++) {
-            /* check status of peer to ensure they are alive */
-            if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_smr.get_proc_state(&state, &status, peers+i))) {
-                ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
-                return rc;
-            }
-            if (state != ORTE_PROC_STATE_TERMINATED && state != ORTE_PROC_STATE_ABORTED) {
-                rc = mca_oob_send_packed_nb(peers+i, buffer, tag, 0, mca_oob_xcast_cb, xcast);
-                if (rc < 0) {
-                    ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
-                    return rc;
-                }
-            }
-        }
+    /* check to see if there is something to send - this is only true on the HNP end.
+     * However, we cannot just test to see if we are the HNP since, if we are a singleton,
+     * we are the HNP *and* we still need to handle both ends of the xcast
+     */
+    if (NULL != buffer) {        
+        /* this is the HNP end, so it starts the procedure. Accordingly, it sends its
+         * message to the first process in the job in the peer list, which takes it from there
+         */
+        OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&xcastmutex, opal_mutex_t);
+        OPAL_THREAD_LOCK(&xcastmutex);
 
-        /* wait for all non-blocking operations to complete */
-        OPAL_THREAD_LOCK(&xcast->mutex);
-        while(xcast->counter > 0) {
-            opal_condition_wait(&xcast->cond, &xcast->mutex);
-        }
-
-        /* check for timing request - if so, report comm time */
-        if (orte_oob_base_timing) {
-            gettimeofday(&sendstop, NULL);
-            opal_output(0, "oob_xcast: time to send was %ld usec",
-                        (long int)((sendstop.tv_sec - sendstart.tv_sec)*1000000 +
-                                   (sendstop.tv_usec - sendstart.tv_usec)));
-        }
-        
-        OPAL_THREAD_UNLOCK(&xcast->mutex);
-        OBJ_RELEASE(xcast);
-
-    } else {
-        orte_buffer_t rbuf;
-        orte_gpr_notify_message_t *msg;
-
-        OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&rbuf, orte_buffer_t);
-        rc = mca_oob_recv_packed(ORTE_NAME_WILDCARD, &rbuf, tag);
-        if(rc < 0) {
-            OBJ_DESTRUCT(&rbuf);
+        target.cellid = ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->cellid;
+        target.jobid = job;
+        target.vpid = 0;
+        if (0 > (rc = mca_oob_send_packed(&target, buffer, tag, 0))) {
+            ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
+            OPAL_THREAD_UNLOCK(&xcastmutex);
+            OBJ_DESTRUCT(&xcastmutex);
             return rc;
         }
-        if (cbfunc != NULL) {
-            msg = OBJ_NEW(orte_gpr_notify_message_t);
-            if (NULL == msg) {
-                ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERR_OUT_OF_RESOURCE);
-                return ORTE_ERR_OUT_OF_RESOURCE;
-            }
-            i=1;
-            if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_dss.unpack(&rbuf, &msg, &i, ORTE_GPR_NOTIFY_MSG))) {
+
+        OPAL_THREAD_UNLOCK(&xcastmutex);
+        OBJ_DESTRUCT(&xcastmutex);
+
+        return ORTE_SUCCESS;
+        
+    } 
+    
+    
+    /* this process is one of the application procs - accordingly, it will
+     * receive the message from its "parent" in the broadcast tree, and
+     * then send it along to some set of children
+     */
+    
+    /* compute the bitmap, if we haven't already done so */
+    if (!bitmap_init) {
+        bitmap_save = opal_cube_dim((int)orte_process_info.num_procs);
+        bitmap_init = true;
+    }
+    
+    xcast_bitmap = bitmap_save;
+    rank = (int)(ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->vpid);
+    size = (int)orte_process_info.num_procs;
+    
+    hibit = opal_hibit(rank, xcast_bitmap);
+    --xcast_bitmap;
+    
+    /* regardless of who we are, we first have to receive the message */
+    OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&rbuf, orte_buffer_t);
+    if (0 > (rc = mca_oob_recv_packed(ORTE_NAME_WILDCARD, &rbuf, tag))) {
+        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
+        OBJ_DESTRUCT(&rbuf);
+        return rc;
+    }
+    
+    msg = OBJ_NEW(orte_gpr_notify_message_t);
+    if (NULL == msg) {
+        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERR_OUT_OF_RESOURCE);
+        return ORTE_ERR_OUT_OF_RESOURCE;
+    }
+    i=1;
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_dss.unpack(&rbuf, &msg, &i, ORTE_GPR_NOTIFY_MSG))) {
+        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
+        OBJ_RELEASE(msg);
+        return rc;
+    }
+    OBJ_DESTRUCT(&rbuf);
+    
+    /* repack the message so we can send it on */
+    OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&sbuf, orte_buffer_t);
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_dss.pack(&sbuf, &msg, 1, ORTE_GPR_NOTIFY_MSG))) {
+        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
+        OBJ_DESTRUCT(&sbuf);
+        return rc;
+    }
+    
+    /* since the OOB contact info for our peers is in the STG1 message, we have to
+     * process it BEFORE we can relay the message to any "children"
+     */
+    if (cbfunc != NULL && process_first) {
+        /* process the message */
+        cbfunc(msg);
+    }
+            
+    /* send data to any children */
+    target.cellid = ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->cellid;
+    target.jobid = ORTE_PROC_MY_NAME->jobid;
+    
+    for (i = hibit + 1, mask = 1 << i; i <= xcast_bitmap; ++i, mask <<= 1) {
+        peer = rank | mask;
+        if (peer < size) {
+            target.vpid = (orte_vpid_t)peer;
+            if (0 > (rc = mca_oob_send_packed(&target, &sbuf, tag, 0))) {
                 ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
                 OBJ_RELEASE(msg);
                 return rc;
             }
-            cbfunc(msg);
-            OBJ_RELEASE(msg);
         }
-        OBJ_DESTRUCT(&rbuf);
     }
+    OBJ_DESTRUCT(&sbuf);
+    
+    /* if it wasn't the STG1 message, then process it here */
+    if (cbfunc != NULL && !process_first) {
+        cbfunc(msg);
+    }
+    OBJ_RELEASE(msg);
+    
     return ORTE_SUCCESS;
 }
 
diff --git a/orte/mca/oob/oob.h b/orte/mca/oob/oob.h
index c61ddbe278..72eb23bd72 100644
--- a/orte/mca/oob/oob.h
+++ b/orte/mca/oob/oob.h
@@ -196,11 +196,10 @@ typedef int (*mca_oob_base_module_fini_fn_t)(void);
 /**
  * xcast function for sending common messages to all processes
  */
-typedef int (*mca_oob_base_module_xcast_fn_t)(orte_process_name_t* root, 
-    orte_process_name_t* peers,
-    orte_std_cntr_t num_peers,
-    orte_buffer_t* buffer,
-    orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc);
+typedef int (*mca_oob_base_module_xcast_fn_t)(orte_jobid_t job,
+                                              bool process_first,
+                                              orte_buffer_t* buffer,
+                                              orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc);
 
 /**
  * OOB Module
diff --git a/orte/mca/rmgr/base/rmgr_base_stage_gate.c b/orte/mca/rmgr/base/rmgr_base_stage_gate.c
index 813fca199d..7f65d93052 100644
--- a/orte/mca/rmgr/base/rmgr_base_stage_gate.c
+++ b/orte/mca/rmgr/base/rmgr_base_stage_gate.c
@@ -58,12 +58,8 @@ int orte_rmgr_base_proc_stage_gate_init(orte_jobid_t job)
 int orte_rmgr_base_proc_stage_gate_mgr(orte_gpr_notify_message_t *msg)
 {
     orte_buffer_t buffer;
-    orte_process_name_t *recipients=NULL;
-    orte_std_cntr_t n=0;
     int rc;
     orte_jobid_t job;
-    opal_list_t attrs;
-    opal_list_item_t *item;
 
     OPAL_TRACE(1);
 
@@ -88,23 +84,7 @@ int orte_rmgr_base_proc_stage_gate_mgr(orte_gpr_notify_message_t *msg)
      }
 
     OPAL_TRACE_ARG1(1, job);
-    
-    /* need the list of peers for this job so we can send them the xcast.
-        * obtain this list from the name service's get_job_peers function
-        */
-    OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&attrs, opal_list_t);
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_rmgr.add_attribute(&attrs, ORTE_NS_USE_JOBID, ORTE_JOBID,
-                                                      &job, ORTE_RMGR_ATTR_OVERRIDE))) {
-        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
-        OBJ_DESTRUCT(&attrs);
-        return rc;
-    }
-    
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_ns.get_peers(&recipients, &n, &attrs))) {
-        ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
-        goto CLEANUP;
-    }
-        
+            
     /* set the job state to the appropriate level */
     if (orte_schema.check_std_trigger_name(msg->target, ORTE_ALL_LAUNCHED_TRIGGER)) {
         if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_smr.set_job_state(job, ORTE_JOB_STATE_LAUNCHED))) {
@@ -148,19 +128,12 @@ int orte_rmgr_base_proc_stage_gate_mgr(orte_gpr_notify_message_t *msg)
     }
 
     /* send the message */
-    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_rml.xcast(orte_process_info.my_name, recipients,
-                                        n, &buffer, NULL, NULL))) {
+    if (ORTE_SUCCESS != (rc = orte_rml.xcast(job, false, &buffer, NULL))) {
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(rc);
     }
     OBJ_DESTRUCT(&buffer);
 
 CLEANUP:
-    if (NULL != recipients) free(recipients);
-
-    while (NULL != (item = opal_list_remove_first(&attrs))) {
-        OBJ_RELEASE(item);
-    }
-    OBJ_DESTRUCT(&attrs);
     
     return rc;
 }
diff --git a/orte/mca/rml/rml.h b/orte/mca/rml/rml.h
index d4366a50de..67366787ed 100644
--- a/orte/mca/rml/rml.h
+++ b/orte/mca/rml/rml.h
@@ -326,13 +326,10 @@ typedef int (*orte_rml_module_recv_cancel_fn_t)(orte_process_name_t* peer, orte_
  * xcast function for sending common messages to all processes
  */
 
-typedef int (*orte_rml_module_xcast_fn_t)(
-    orte_process_name_t* root,
-    orte_process_name_t* peers,
-    size_t num_peers,
-    orte_buffer_t* buffer,
-    orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc,
-    void *user_tag);
+typedef int (*orte_rml_module_xcast_fn_t)(orte_jobid_t job,
+                                          bool process_first,
+                                          orte_buffer_t* buffer,
+                                          orte_gpr_trigger_cb_fn_t cbfunc);
 
 /*
  * Callback on exception condition.