Federal IT managers and contractors need an acquisition workforce and relationships that are better equipped to handle shifting technologies and economic uncertainty, a new Professional Services Council study found.
The study, released Sept. 9 and titled “From Crisis to Opportunity,” shows federal IT management is not keeping up with technological changes. While 85 percent of the federal IT leaders polled said IT was “extremely important,” just 25 percent said their workforce was “extremely competent” in complex IT acquisition skills. More than 50 percent rated such competencies as “average or worse.”
In remarks at a Sept. 9 press conference, PSC President and CEO Stan Soloway said three fundamental problems plague federal acquisition:
- Difficulties in developing modern acquisition training and maintaining a strong federal workforce.
- A lack of collaboration within federal agencies.
- A lack of strong leadership at some government agencies.
While there are strong acquisition programs at the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Homeland Security, Soloway said, others are not forward-looking enough when it comes to developing and maintaining acquisition personnel.
Keep reading this article at: http://fcw.com/articles/2013/09/09/psc-acquisition-report.aspx
Download a copy of the report at: http://www.pscouncil.org/c/p/2013_Commission_Report/The_2013_PSC_Leadership_Commission_Report.aspx
