Report: Contracting workforce needs more training

A recent survey of the skills of the federal acquisition workforce shows that while contracting officials generally are operating at expected levels, they could benefit from additional training to bridge competency gaps.

The survey by the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the Federal Acquisition Institute aimed to help determine where resources should be concentrated to improve or maintain essential skills. OMB touted the report as "the first-ever baseline analysis of the proficiency levels of the civilian agency contracting workforce."

OFPP and FAI conducted the survey between April and May and had 5,400 respondents. The vast majority fit into the desired GS-1102 contracting officer or specialist category.

For the most part, contracting personnel are proficient both in general business and technical contracting, the survey indicated. Respondents did signal, however, that they would benefit from training in several areas, including project management, defining and managing government requirements, performance-based acquisition and use of performance metrics. They also advocated training in negotiation skills, strategic planning and the effective resolution of contract disputes.

OMB is encouraging chief acquisition and human capital officers to review the survey results in preparing their Gap Analysis Report and Improvement Plans, due Dec. 15 to OMB. In these reports, agencies must include steps they can take to address shortfalls in skills.

"This survey is a comprehensive review of our workforce and will guide strategic development and succession planning efforts," said OFPP Administrator Paul Denett, in a statement. "Agencies have a unique opportunity to identify specific organizational competency gaps and are using this information to develop plans to close those gaps."

The demographics of the respondents indicated that existing weaknesses will be exacerbated by a looming retirement wave.

Of the GS-1102 level respondents, 64 percent of the contracting officers were 46 or older, and 52 percent reported plans to retire in the next 10 years. The figures were slightly lower but still significant for contracting specialists, with 49 percent of respondents older than 46 and 37 percent planning to retire in the next decade.

Many of those slated to retire were at higher skill levels. In areas requiring technical competency, 40 percent possessing proficiency levels of intermediate or greater will retire within 10 years. For the general business area, that figure rises to 45 percent.

In a memorandum to chief acquisition officers, Denett asked that, in the upcoming reports, agencies identify strategies and milestones for recruitment and retention at all levels, but specifically the GS-1102 level. "You may want to consider not only the numbers of contracting professionals required but also the competencies needed in your organization and strategies for obtaining these skills," Denett wrote.

Chief acquisition officers have consistently identified the contracting workforce as one of their primary areas of focus. They are attempting to combat existing vacancies and skill gaps and prepare for the expected retirement wave by using tools like direct hire and student loan repayment.