Jane Edwards
Some industry representatives have called on Congress to help the Department of Homeland Security standardize and streamline the vetting and security clearance process for government contracting personnel, Federal News Radio reported Wednesday.
Industry stakeholders told lawmakers Tuesday at a House Homeland Security’s oversight and management efficiency subpanel hearing that DHS leaders should advance the implementation of uniform suitability standards to screen contracting staff across the agency.
They also raised concern about lack of status updates from DHS with regard to suitability ratings and the delay in receiving fitness assessment results from the agency.
“Even if you have a process that is broken, even if you have a process where things are going on for a long time, at least communicate with the contractor,â€Â said Marc Pearl, president and CEO of the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council.
David Berteau, president and CEO of the Professional Services Council, said determining whether a contracting employee is suitable to work in an agency is a critical decision but should not be a lengthy process.
