Letters to the editor

Following are responses to an FCW.com poll question that asked: Should government outsource more information technology services?

I believe when the government outsources IT responsibility, it ends up paying more for the resource and getting less. You can't just base this on the dollar figure you pay for the contract. When well-trained government-employed people are held to the task, a better product will be provided.

Additionally, the organizations know who is accessing and manipulating the data. In some contract environments, you don't know who or which organization is accessing that same data.

The key is you must invest in government IT professionals. Continue to train them so they stay current with the latest technologies.

Mark Tacheny Air Force

***

1. The A-76 process is a second-wave management philosophy that is being applied to organizations that are attempting to develop into third-wave organizations.

2. When IT organizations are outsourced, the government maintains the management functions, and the contractor duplicates the government management structure. Therefore, the management costs are doubled.

Name withheld by request

***

Outsourcing of government has caused a major loss of inherent knowledge of IT systems and processes. Often, the expense of outsourcing far exceeds internal personnel costs. Unfortunately the government accounting methodology detracts from the real expense of outsourcing in terms of cost, morale and dedication. When the contractor leaves, who has the pick up the pieces? The same people they want to phase out.

Name withheld by request

***

Industry has shown over and over that it follows commercial best practices and is more responsive than the government bureaucracy. Also, the profit motive makes for better prices.

Name withheld by request