Report Rollout: Structure & Dynamics of the U.S. Federal Professional Services Industrial Base

The Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group (DIIG) at CSIS hosted the release of its new report, Structure and Dynamics of the U.S. Federal Professional Services Industrial Base at CSIS. The report presents the current industrial structure of the professional services contracting base and the trends that have swept through the industry in the past thirteen years. The report was authored by DIIG Director David Berteau, Fellow Guy Ben-Ari, and Research Associate Greg Sanders. Participants will be briefed on report findings and will receive copies of the report.

During the past decade, the U.S. government has been increasing its reliance on the private sector for a wide range of professional and support services. In the past thirteen years, providing professional services to the federal government has become a significant industry, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 9 percent, from $102 billion in contracts awarded in 1995 to $233 billion in 2007. The U.S. government now contracts as much for services as it purchases in hardware.

The CSIS report explores key aspects of the U.S. federal professional services industrial base. Based on data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and interviews with key industry and government figures, it highlights trends in types of professional services procured and addresses important policy issues, such as those pertaining to federal procurement, competitiveness, and maintenance of a healthy industrial base.