PSC Welcomes Passage of Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations and COVID Response Legislation  Includes Extended Authority for Section 3610 Contractor Provision to Retain Ready-State Workforce During COVID-19 Pandemic

Arlington, Va. (Dec. 22, 2020) The Professional Services Council (PSC) welcomes the passage of the omnibus FY21 Appropriations package and COVID supplemental (H.R. 133) and thanks Congress for their bipartisan efforts to fully fund the government for the remainder of the Fiscal Year. PSC urges the president to sign the bill as soon as possible.

“Sufficient funding for the fiscal year enables agencies to keep operating at full capacity even under COVID-19 duress and provides predictability for government agencies and programs and the contractors that provide essential support,” said PSC President and CEO David Berteau. “Stable funding leads to timely contracts that deliver better results for the government, sooner and at better prices.”

The package includes a top PSC priority, an extension of the key contractor retention provision, known as Section 3610, through March 31, 2021. PSC led eight trade associations in requesting this extension in a letter to Congress on November 20. The letter emphasized that Section 3610 authority “continues to be used by many federal agencies to maintain the capabilities and workforce necessary to meet mission needs and protect our national security and other vital programs" and that it will be needed as long as the COVID-19 health emergency is in effect.  

Berteau added that PSC appreciates the many Members of Congress who worked to extend this essential authority, including Chairman Gerry Connolly and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senators Rubio and Warner.