Wow, I had no idea the Professional Services Council would get involved with the process, but that is cool. I didn’t even know they existed, and at least someone cares about us. Although, seeing how this was sent almost a month ago, the SOFA(Status of Forces Agreement) writers and negotiators have been notified and I really haven’t seen a focus on these issues. When the final product comes out and the agreement has been signed, then we will see if Condoleezza Rice was really listening.
Also with the letter, they mentioned how this SOFA could impact a Afghanistan SOFA in the future. That if you do not protect civilian contractors with a sound agreement in Iraq, that Afghanistan might push for the same type of agreement in that war zone. It is about precedent and it is about doing the right thing, and that the DoD and DoS both have an opportunity to take a stand about how important we are in the war effort. Especially as we draw down in Iraq, and build up in such places as Afghanistan and Africa.
The other thing that is interesting about the PSC, is that they are another resource you can use to bring up issues in the industry that need attention. –Head Jundi
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PSC Urges Contractor Protections in Iraq SOFA
In a letter sent to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on October 8, PSC outlined its concerns regarding the development of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iraq that may exclude basic protections for contractor personnel supporting the military and reconstruction efforts in the country. Of particular concern is the fact that a fledgling Iraqi legal system and the general in-country environment may not provide adequate due process procedures for detained contractor personnel.
The absence of sufficient protections for contractor personnel in an Iraq SOFA could negatively impact the U.S. efforts to carry out critical infrastructure and economic, health care, agricultural, education, financial and other development activities for the Iraqi people, PSC said. According to recent estimates from U.S. Central Command and the Congressional Budget Office, there are tens of thousands of contractor employees currently working in Iraq proper, about twenty percent of whom are U.S. citizens. A lack of protection for those individuals would likely result in their exodus from the country. PSC’s letter requested a meeting with Secretary Rice or her senior advisors in order to discuss PSC concerns in greater detail.
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A FOCUSED MISSION
PSC’s mission is straightforward and focused: expand the government marketplace for professional and technical services providers, and work aggressively to foster a business climate that enables fair competition, best value for the government and the taxpayer, and a thriving partnership between the public sector customer and the private sector provider.
PSC also serves as a vital resource for its members, providing expert guidance and insight into the many political and market dynamics that impact the entire professional and technical services industry.
PSC achieves its mission through a full agenda of advocacy, information, partnership and programming, which includes:
* uniquely effective issue advocacy on Capitol Hill and within the Executive Branch agencies;
* over a dozen committees, task forces and working groups covering a full array of issues of importance to the industry;
* ambitious programming providing PSC members direct contact with key policy leaders from across the government;
* formal and informal “partnerships” with agencies and components, in which PSC member company representatives work collaboratively with their government counterparts to find solutions to critical strategic and business challenges;
* extensive communications with the PSC membership, including the Action Update (a monthly, electronic newsletter), and the monthly Government Affairs Committee meeting, plus numerous special meetings and policy alerts covering emerging issues of importance.