Poor records increase security risks
A Senate committee report exploring the role of Afghan nationals working for private security contractors fails to consider difficulties embodied in building accurate personnel databases in a country with complex and shifting alliances, says Stan Soloway of the Professional Services Council.
More talk needed if defense reforms are to succeed
Improved communications is necessary to achieve cost reductions and efficiencies at the Defense Department, writes Stan Soloway of the Professional Services Council.
The perils of congressional procrastination
The fallout from delays in appropriations from Congress is enormous, says Stan Soloway of the Professional Services Council.
DOD contractor ethics rule enters critical stage
The proposed rule on organizational conflicts of interest is movning forward but what direction is it headed?
Transparency initiatives teeter off balance
The Obama administration needs to correct transparency imbalances where either too little or too much information is being shared with the public, says Stan Soloway of the Professional Services Council.
Harsh budget picture shouldn't mean insourcing
Total lifecycle cost must be a significant factor at the Defense Department as it focuses on budget cuts.
Private financing initiatives might lessen agency budget woes
Private finance initiatives are an effective way to relieve budgetary pressure and enable agencies to move forward with infrastructure improvements, writes Stan Soloway.
How not to build an acquisition workforce
Recent actions undermine efforts to maintain a strong cadre of acquisition employees, says Stan Soloway, president and CEO of the Professional Services Council.
What Haiti teaches us about the 'whole of government'
The Haiti relief effort offers an important lesson for those responding to the everyday challenges of government.
New agency roadmaps offer critical insights
Quadrennial reviews expected from the Defense and State departments might offer insights into the role contractors will play in helping the departments fulfill their missions.
New OCI rules mean big impact for industry
A long-awaited Defense Department proposal on how to manage organizational conflicts of interest could have an enormous effect across the industry that supports DOD.
Insourcing benefits are all smoke and mirrors
The savings from insourcing that defense and civilian agencies are expected to report to Congress next February will be largely illusory.
New twists in labor issues on the horizon
The Center for American Progress is advocating that contracts be awarded based on compliance with labor laws and who pays fair and reasonable wages.
Agencies absorb contractor jobs without clear direction
A number of federal agencies are proceeding with insourcing efforts even though they haven't conducted performance or cost analysis of the benefits or offered a strategic vision of the agency’s workforce composition.
Procurement memos on right track but insourcing still an issue
PSC president Stan Soloway praises the Obama administration's procurement memos as evenhanded, but insourcing is still an issue.
Strong guidance needed for insourcing
The hot button issue of insourcing is creating unease, especially in the Defense Department, where weak guidance has produced a sense of confusion among the various components.
Poaching employees hurts contractors and agencies alike
Government agencies and contractors should set aside their heated competition over skilled workers to keep costs down and prevent excessive turnover.
Opinion
DOD must replenish skills among employees
Defense Secretary Robert Gates' proposed plan to replace thousands of contractor employees with new full-time government employees raises a number of important questions.
Obama memo ushers in new era
President Barack Obama’s management agenda might open the door to an important dialogue on federal contracting and public/private cooperation.
No excuse for frivolous protests
The idea of using protests as part of a government sales strategy is a disturbing concept.
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