Acquisition Workforce Issues Addressed

The House Government Reform Committee has approved legislation (HR-1837) to reform federal acquisition processes, including initiatives primarily aimed at improving training and career opportunities for acquisition employees outside the Defense Department (DoD already has numerous special authorities for its acquisition workforce). The measure would create an “acquisition workforce training fund” run by the General Services Administration, a “professional exchange program” for rotations between the government and private sector employers of up to two years during which employees on rotation would keep their federal benefits and other rights, and new hiring authorities when agencies deem that certain acquisition positions are a “shortage category” and a candidate is highly qualified. Similar provisions have been incorporated into the House Defense Department authorization bill (HR-1588).