Agency Buyers Express Rising Optimism About Workforce Skills, Communication
Government Executive -7/18/18
By Charles S. Clark
Contracting officers around government are feeling more upbeat about their colleagues’ skill levels and ability to execute complicated information technology purchases, according to a survey unveiled on Wednesday. Despite perennial worries about budgets, regulatory restraints and obstacles to hiring, most of the 65 acquisition professionals interviewed are optimistic, according to the ninth biennial survey from the 400-company Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton Public Sector.
Improved Skills, Communication Among Reasons Federal Acquisition Workers are Optimistic
Federal News Radio - 7/19/18
By Jason Miller
In the 16 years the Professional Services Council has been conducting its survey of federal acquisition workers, rarely has optimism been a key finding or even a discussion point. But in the 2018 Acquisition Policy Survey, PSC and Grant Thornton found contracting officers, contracting specialists, program managers and chief procurement officers are more positive about the state of federal acquisition than ever before.
PSC Survey Finds Acquisition Professionals are Hopeful, Despite Tough Climate
FedScoop - 7/19/18
By Carten Cordell
Despite budget uncertainties and difficulties pursuing in-house innovation and collaboration, federal acquisition officials are looking on the bright side, a recent survey has found. The Professional Services Council’s biennial acquisition policy survey reports that officials believe that overall workforce skill in procurement is improving, despite continued headwinds in areas like hiring, federal spending and intra-agency communication.
Acquisition Professionals Place Little Importance on Innovation, Survey Finds
NextGov - 7/19/18
By Frank Konkel
The federal government’s procurement professionals are bullish about improvements to federal acquisition, according to survey released Wednesday, but it definitely isn’t because they’re high on innovation.
Rather, the ninth biennial Acquisition Policy Survey, compiled by the Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton Public Sector, found recurring challenges such as budget instability, hiring difficulties and onerous regulatory burdens were offset by improvements to the human quotient of the acquisition workforce.
Acquisition Pros Report Optimism Despite Budget Uncertainty
Federal Computer Week -7/19/18
By Mark Rockwell
Federal acquisition specialists are pessimistic about the budget climate, a new Professional Services Council survey found, but there are other glimmers optimism to be found. The trade group's survey of 65 acquisition officials found that despite challenges on many fronts, workforce capacity is improving and communication inside government and with industry is getting better.
Procurement Officials Concerned About Federal Budget Volatility
Bloomberg Government – 7/19/18
By Sam Skolnik
Top government procurement officials expressed mixed thoughts about the state of federal acquisition policy in a new survey, including concerns about worsening budget conditions.
PSC Study: Acquisition Environment Viewed Better, Challenges Remain
Executivebiz.com - 7/23/18
By Jason Scott
Federal officials see reason for optimism throughout the acquisition process, but are concerned about ongoing budget issues, according to the 9th biennial Acquisition Policy Survey released by the Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton Public Sector on Wednesday. The survey interviewed 65 government employees working in acquisition and comprised five areas: workforce, budget, communication and collaboration, innovation, and oversight and compliance.
Ninth Biennial Acquisition Policy Survey
FedHeads Podcast -7/16/18
Robert Shea and Francis Scott sit down with Alan Chvotkin, Executive Vice President & Counsel of the Professional Services Council and Eric Heffernan, Principal at Grant Thornton Public Sector, to discuss the trends and findings of their 9th biennial acquisition policy survey.
Procurement Outlook
Bgov.com – 7/19/18
More than 60 percent of the respondents to the biennial survey released by contractor group Professional Services Council and audit and advisory firm Grant Thornton said conditions surrounding the federal budget had “deteriorated” over the last two years, “and many didn’t know what to expect in the future.”