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PSC: DoD Needs to maintain flexibility to deliver better outcomes to warfighters, taxpayers

Arlington, Va., June 28, 2010—Professional Services Council Executive Vice President and Counsel Alan Chvotkin and a delegation of PSC member companies participated in a special meeting today led by Ashton Carter, the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

At the meeting, Carter presented his initial guidance to help the department trim its budget while still delivering value to the taxpayer and warfighter. The guidance includes calls for acquisition professionals to buy competitively, choose the right contract for the job, include small businesses in multiple award contracts and reward excellent contract performance.

“We share the goals that Undersecretary of Defense Carter has identified for the department and while many of the recommended guidelines—such as increasing competition and choosing the right kind of contract—are laudable, PSC is concerned about how the department proposes to implement them,” Chvotkin said.

“Services covers a broad span of activities and no one size fits all. Yet some of his initial recommendations may unnecessarily limit flexibility,” Chvotkin said. “For example, the department is right to focus on choosing the right contract vehicle, but why take a tool out of the toolbox by eliminating time and material contracts?”

PSC plans to present its recommendations to the department in yet-to-be-scheduled meetings between department officials and member companies, as requested by Carter. 

“We welcome Dr. Carter’s invitation for a robust, fact-based, dialogue concerning the acquisition of services and how to address systemic issues that affect both the government and our industry,” said Chvotkin. “While many of the preliminary initiatives the department proposes have been tried before, the environment under which they are being discussed is different and the approach being taken appears to be different.”

To speak with Chvotkin about the meeting, contact PSC’s Media Relations Manager, Elise Castelli, at (703) 875-8974 or castelli@pscouncil.org.