PSC survey focuses on workforce, innovation

The Professional Services Council's latest acquisition policy survey found optimism from respondents about the acquisition workforce as well as concern about the barriers to innovation.

During a conference call with reporters Monday morning, David Bertea, PSC's chief executive, said this year's survey, conducted with Grant Thornton, had more respondents than any prior version.

Phil Kangas of Grant Thornton told reporters the biennial survey registered hope among the 80 federal officials, including senior acquisition executives, contracting professionals and congressional staff, surveyed about the acquisition workforce.

"There's definitely optimism that the workforce is getting better," he said.

However, more than one-third of respondents said it's "extremely difficult" to hire employees with the needed skills, while close to 40 percent said it's "difficult."

This combined figure is "a stark reminder that this is a set of skills that is very difficult to find in the talent marketplace," Kangas said.

Alan Chvotkin, PSC's executive vice president and counsel, told reporters the survey found workforce skills and fear of protests were listed by many as significant barriers to accessing innovation.

Asked about recommendations PSC might make, Berteau told reporters the organization would like to see the federal hiring process work better.

The government "being able to hire and retain and promote . . . the contracting workforce and the acquisition workforce would be very high on our list," he said.

Additionally, Berteau said PSC would like to see the government take a more innovative approach itself as it seeks innovation.

"A lot of this innovation comes from the existing contractor base as well as from the outside," he said, noting that improved buying rules and processes would benefit both groups.