PSC Defends Role of Contractors Amidst SAMHSA’s Call to Halt Contracted Work

April 9, 2018

Arlington, V.A. (April 9, 2018) —The Professional Services Council (PSC) sent a letter April 5 to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz raising concerns that her recent comments, and her actions stopping contracted work, devalue the critical role government contractors play in combatting today’s substance abuse and serious mental illnesses.

“Even with different policy objectives than years past, and particularly in light of the growing opioid epidemic, we believe that contractors are now—and can continue to be—part of SAMHSA’s solutions and successes,” said PSC Executive Vice President and Counsel Alan Chvotkin. “Excluding private sector partners will harm SAMHSA’s ability to achieve its mission outcomes, and ultimately erode needed capabilities that support SAMHSA’s important work.”

On March 22, 2018, Dr. McCance-Katz published a blog post entitled “SAMHSA Revamping TA-Contractors Model to Deliver More Support to American Communities.” Thereafter, numerous SAMHSA contractors received stop-work orders on current contracts, or notices of intent that future contract option years would not be exercised. 

PSC’s letter requests a meeting with Dr. McCance-Katz, to include several of our member companies who have a record of achievement working with SAMHSA—some spanning three decades. 

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Media Contact: 
Ashlei Stevens
Director, Media Relations
703.875.8974
stevens@pscouncil.org
About PSC: PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s nearly 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in all 50 states. Follow PSC on Twitter @PSCSpeaks. To learn more, visit www.pscouncil.org.