PSC site to fight contracting myths

Asserting that myths about federal contracting are rampant, the Professional Services Council today launched a new Web site as a clearinghouse of information on government procurement issues.

The council is a national association representing professional and technical service contractors that serve government agencies. Its new Web site, SmartContracting.org, provides an overview of reform proposals and concerns related to government procurement policies and practices.

"This initiative is designed to provide critical information to educate Congress, the media and the public about the consequences of simplistic, and often adverse, legislative proposals and build support in Congress for a more balanced and thoughtful discussion of these important issues," the council said in a news release.

One of the so-called myths cited on the Web site is that federal contracting waste, fraud and abuse are substantial in scope.

That is not the case in reality, according to the council.

"The government has an effective interlocking system of oversight in place to weed out waste, fraud and abuse that includes agency contracting officials, auditors, inspectors general, the Government Accountability Office and Congress," states SmartContracting.org. Overall, "there is little evidence of widespread fraud by government contractors."