PSC Calls for OMB Guidance on Federal Contractor Telework
COVID-19 response must include clear guidance for maximum contractor telework flexibilities to keep agencies’ missions moving

Arlington, Va. (Mar. 19, 2020) The Professional Services Council (PSC) called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as part of the government’s response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), to issue immediately clear and comprehensive government-wide guidance to all Chief Acquisition Officers and all federal acquisition officials.  

Contractors are being sent home without authority to telework and may soon be furloughed, despite clear statutory and Federal Acquisition Regulation authority for telework by contractors, as cited in a letter sent to OMB on March 18 by PSC. Guidance is needed to reinforce both the authority and the responsibility of contracting officers to provide maximum flexibilities for telework for contractors as the president has done for government civilian workers.  

“As presidential guidance expands and encourages telework, contract authorization for contractors to telework is not automatic. Contractors can support agency missions without interruption, but leaving telework approval up to individual contracting officers is inefficient, potentially creates confusion, and undermines America’s need to keep the government going,” said PSC President and CEO David Berteau. 

“Any disruption to the ability of contractors to continue to perform hurts government operations and could further disrupt the economy,” Berteau continued. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government to make COVID-19 responses seamless and efficient while supporting the economy and keeping the entire government operating.”


###
Media Contact:
Pheniece Jones
Director, Media Relations
703.875.8974
media@pscouncil.org


About PSC: PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s more than 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in all 50 states. Follow PSC on Twitter @PSCSpeaks. To learn more, visit www.pscouncil.org.