Over-reliance on contractors is nothing new
In response to a story about DHS relying too much on contractors, a long-time fed suggests providing more training and guidance to agency officials who oversee contractors.
I have been with 2 Departments over my 16 federal years and the problem is the same. When new responsibilities are assigned to an agency there is often not enough internal staff and we've looked to contracts to accomplish the mission. These contractors will then be the most qualified and eventually may be hired by the departments to do the jobs. Your article states: "GAO said in the report. 'In addition, none of the program officials and contractors we spoke with was aware of these requirements, and few believed that their professional and management support service contracts required enhanced oversight.'" is a direct result of hiring folks into leadership positions with little or no previous federal experience and training, followed by very little subject matter oversight by the Departments. Without the development and implementation of mentoring or transition guidance this won't be changing any time soon.
Anonymous
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