Letter: Contract types don't depend on employee numbers
A reader writes, "More and better-trained employees does not automatically translate into fewer of [sole source]/no-bid and cost-plus contracts."
Regarding "House OKs acquisition staffing fund": In your article, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), the committee's ranking member, said reforms to keep a closer eye on contractors and limit certain types of contracts, such as sole-source, no-bid and cost-plus contracts, could all be avoided if the government had a larger and better-trained acquisition workforce.
Use of [sole source]/no-bid contracts and cost-plus contracts are not contingent on the number of employees. These types of contracts are driven by the SOW, can it be priced using FFP or are the requirements too imprecise to use FFP type contracts. More and better-trained personnel will insure [sole source]/no-bid and cost-plus contracts are properly written and overseen. Better training may help the customers find a way to get out from under the of [sole source]/no bid situation they are in. More and better-trained employees does not automatically translate into fewer of [sole source]/no-bid and cost-plus contracts.
Anthony J. DeVico
CPCM, C.P.M.
Retired contracting officer
Navy Department
What do you think? Paste a comment in the box below (registration required), or send your comment to letters@fcw.com (subject line: Blog comment) and we'll post it.
NEXT STORY: GSA expects schedules office by July