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Lectern

By Steve Kelman

Blog archive

The Lectern: The Fear Industry and the workforce crisis

I'm in Cincinnati today (in between teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays) to give a talk at the World Congress of the National Contract Management Association, the professional organization for contracting professionals. Last night at dinner I was having a conversation with a well-known contracting person, who noted that attendance at the World Congress from government contracting folks was at a record high. That sounds like a good sign, I responded, especially given the tight funding environment in agencies and some rumblings from agency ethics officials about government people attending events where industry people are also present.


No, it wasn't really a good sign, my dinner table partner said. He's been hearing from industry people at the conference that a lot of the government people are at the conference to network for contracting jobs outside the government. The word around is that the government people are sick of trying to work in the current environment of attacks, blame, and increased controls. That's why they're looking to leave.


Good job, fear industry. Is destroying the government's contracting capacity what you guys had in mind?


What do you think? Post a comment on this blog (registration required) or send an e-mail to letters@fcw.com (subject line: Kelman) and we will post it for you.

Posted by Steve Kelman on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:18 AM


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Reader comments

Fri, Apr 25, 2008 John Monroe

I read your comments from the NCMA conference and you are right on. I wish you were in a position of leadership...we need your vision and recognition of what Congress and others are doing to us.We receive data call after data call with sometimes a few hours to respond to. The Gansler report so accurately noted we are overworked and under resourced. That's why the new commands are being stood up.The reality....I'm under a hiring freeze because my agency went beyond their allowed spaces. So, I have 4 vacancies with a known loss of at least 4 more in the short future. And, most of these are key GS 12's and 13's.Clearly people are getting tired and retiring. I am losing 3 this summer that I know would have preferred to work longer, but their health can't take the stress anymore. I know I am eligible next August and I'm now seriously considering it. DoD and the Army have made this job so difficult, it's not fun like it used to be. And, as you will remember, I LOVED my job.Keep up the good work and know from a "front line" perspective, you are right on!Contracting Professional

Sun, Apr 20, 2008 CJ Williams

I sympathize with the DoD procurement guys. Here at GSA, 1102s have long been under the same sort of pressure from the oversight community that has created chaos, lowered morale, complicated procurements and increased costs. But there is one big difference, we at least have a leader committed to trying to fix the problem and confronting the “fear industry”. While it is true that Mrs Doan hasn’t yet won this battle, she alone is willing to fight it. Can’t but help thinking that if other agency heads were willing to confront the problems with the same relentless determination, federal procurement policy would not be in such crisis.

Thu, Apr 17, 2008 Patricia Krabacher

From the heartland perspective I would agree with Dr Kelman and the other bloggers - I am a CO with over 20 years experience and 30 years in Acquisition. I have seen the pendulum "swing" a few times over those 30 years but NEVER has the CO workforce been so discouraged and ready to "punch" i.e. retire if CSRS eligible or leave the federal sector if FERS - I suspect many of those attending the Cincinnati NCMA conference are hoping to connect with Dept of Energy (DOE) or industry partners who offer more $$ and less stress that DOD acquisition. I have been wondering if much of the rigidity we are seeing in acquisition is driven by continued implementation of the CFO Reform Act of 1990 and DOD e-Business initiatives which look at acquisition with an COTS mentality. Within the past months I have had to have my JAG involved in areas I NEVER had legal involvement - negotiating consideration, incremental funding of R&D, and a two-week No Cost Time Extension for an order. I believe the constrained fiscal environment we are in is aptly called "survival acquisition" and the decisions that both Program Mgrs and COs must make on a daily basis center around the quick obligation of funds - there is no time to resolve issues or plan acquisition. REALLY - DoD doesn't need COs - everyone else has an opinion and financial execution is the top concern - the CO is only expected to issue a document on schedule.I myself am sending my resume today to be considered for a lateral level position as a Prog Mgr. I am also actively looking on USA jobs and once I have age will "punch" to become a support Ktr where a lot less responsibility and stress would await me. The CO workforce is inordinately stressed by the complexity of ALL LEVELS OF ACQUISITION - especially services and the documentation required. DoD Leadership and Congressional failure to recognize this has fueled the desire to give up the CO warrant by many COs.

Thu, Apr 17, 2008 John Monroe

I hope that some of the people who are driving the current dysfunctional trends in the world of government contracting read the posts in reaction to this and other blogs I've written on these topics. I believe the people promoting the current environment are well-intentioned, but their actions are having consequences the opposite of what they seek. Steve Kelman

Thu, Apr 17, 2008 James Vann

Prof. Kelman, Your colleague's observations align with what I have also seen with NCMA meetings and conferences over 2+ decades. At certain times (characterized by demographics and stagnant Federal promotion opportunities) increases in Government attendance at NCMA events reflect an increase in government job seekers). The oft-mentioned baby-boomer retirement rush which has been stretched and delayed for a few years may well be entering its final surge now. Hence the Cincinnati observation.

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