The Professional Services Council (PSC) has called on the Department of Defense (DOD) and other federal agencies to take part in an information-sharing forum on August 6th to improve communication and coordination between government and industry on contractor issues in relation to the military drawdown in Afghanistan.
“Industry is grappling with many unknowns as our nation enters a new chapter in U.S.-Afghan relations. These issues include ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens who will remain on-the-ground in Afghanistan, supporting the success of continued missions, and pivoting some contractor capabilities to over-the-horizon, or remote, support,” Stephanie Kostro, executive vice president of policy at PSC, said in a statement published Monday.
In a July 21st letter, David Berteau, president and CEO of PSC and a two-time Wash100 awardee, urged DOD to integrate information about the locations and numbers of U.S. contractors and non-governmental organizations into non-combatant evacuation operations planning. He also called on the State Department to regularly update U.S. contractors regarding the U.S. Special Immigrant Visa program.
The letter was addressed to Lloyd Austin, secretary of defense and a 2021 Wash100 Award winner; Secretary of State and 2021 Wash100 Awardee Antony Blinken; and Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“It’s critical that government and industry officials address these issues together, starting with a better understanding of what information is already available, what additional information and coordination are needed, and how contractors can better support U.S. Government objectives for a stable, democratic, economically viable Afghanistan," Kostro said.
