Operational Resilience, Budget Realities Among Key Themes in PSC’s Biennial Acquisition Policy Survey; Alan Chvotkin Quoted

A new Professional Services Council survey has identified five themes based on interviews with more than 22 government officials from 10 federal agencies and one of those is operational resilience and adaptability of the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PSC said Thursday government respondents in the 2020 Biennial Acquisition Policy Survey: A New Paradigm said procurement offices shifted to telework with minimal interruptions to business operations.

“This report captures the realities facing acquisition policy in the government as well as how industry pivots to leveraging available resources to maintain business-as-usual operations despite unprecedented disruptions,” said Alan Chvotkin, executive vice president and counsel at PSC.

The study also showed that agencies face challenges in maintaining acquisition and contracting staff. Respondents also cited an increasing knowledge gap in the transition between the retiring procurement professionals and incoming class of contract specialists.

The other three themes that emerged in the survey are the need for budget flexibilities amid continuing resolutions, the role of data management strategies in future acquisition policies and the need for a framework to improve government-industry communications.

“The survey provides value to both government and industry, including facilitating smarter contracting, better communication, and more seamless business,” said Chvotkin. “Ultimately, good communication between government and industry is critical to improving federal contracting outcomes across every agency and mission.”