Foreign worker policy questioned
Industry reps urge DOD for review of proposed policy that could prohibit noncitizens from working on IT projects
Industry representatives are raising questions about the Defense Department's proposed policy that could prohibit those who are not citizens from working on unclassified information technology projects.
The Information Technology Association of America, an Arlington, Va., industry group, sent a letter March 18 to Pete Aldridge, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, urging DOD to "conduct a full public review and discussion of its proposal."
ITAA president Harris Miller noted that there has not been a public discussion of the possible risks of the proposal and that the potential impact has not been adequately assessed.
"America's defense readiness depends on having ready access to the best available technology and technical skill sets," Miller cautioned. "Precipitous action here could make it much more difficult and expensive for the military services to acquire the requisite IT services."
Many vendors have been quietly expressing their concern about the proposal. Most, however, are unclear about its full ramifications.
Details of the Pentagon plan remain somewhat unclear because DOD has not released the policy.