Hexagon US Federal’s Chris Bellios: GovCon Firms, Workforce Need Relief Measures During COVID-19 Crisis

Chris Bellios, chief operating officer of Hexagon US Federal, wrote in a commentary published Monday on Federal News Network that the U.S. government should implement several relief measures to mitigate the challenges facing federal contractors and employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bellios said the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community should consider shift work to ensure continuity of operations and reimburse contractors to keep them financially viable and allow them to retain their highly skilled personnel.

Another measure agencies should take into consideration is allowing contractors to telework by providing flexibility on contract modifications.

“Finally, the government can ensure existing contracts allow employees to get paid during the crisis and not leave defense and intelligence employees to fend for themselves,” Bellios wrote.

He called on the executive branch to issue guidance to clarify the vague statutory language in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act over reimbursement and other relief measures for federal contractors.

“Our contracting workforce contributes to national security every day through its work on defense and intelligence programs,” Bellios noted. “It’s now incumbent upon the government to ensure the well-being of these contractors and their employers, who make up a critical part of the overall Trusted Workforce.”