The power of partnership: strengthening government through industry

As the new chief executive officer of the Professional Services Council, I am honored to lead one of the country’s largest and most influential trade associations of private sector entities providing innovative partnerships and solutions to the U.S. government — and ultimately, to the American people.

PSC’s growing membership of 400 member companies, ranging in size from startups to large multi-national organizations, represent American innovation and employ taxpayers who seek an effective, efficient, and accountable federal branch.

Federal contracting companies employ hundreds of thousands of Americans who work shoulder-to-shoulder with federal employees to help agencies achieve their missions. These partnerships are not incidental — they are essential to the success of government operations.

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of public service and private enterprise. From serving as a career federal employee and holding senior roles in three White House administrations to running a global corporate compliance program at a Fortune 25 company, I’ve seen firsthand how ethical, cost-saving governance is advanced when the public and private sectors work in tandem.  

Federal contractors are not merely an extension of the workforce — they are integral to the government’s success. Because of their specialized expertise and operational efficiency, it is more cost-effective for contractors to perform these functions — measured in total dollars expended by the government — than to replicate the same capabilities solely within the federal workforce. These companies help deliver better outcomes for less, without sacrificing quality or accountability.

The federal contractors represented by PSC support vital government functions across both defense and civilian agencies, including infrastructure, information technology, systems integration, logistics, research and development, education and training, and mission-essential professional services such as legal, financial, and human resources.

One of the greatest advantages contractors provide is flexible surge capacity — the ability to quickly ramp up a workforce to meet urgent demands, such as during a national emergency or the launch of a new initiative and then scale back once the need subsides. This provides agencies with unparalleled flexibility, allowing the government to remain agile and responsive.

From protecting national security to delivering public health services and modernizing federal IT systems, contractors turn complex challenges into actionable solutions. Their work is mission-driven, collaborative, and results-oriented.

A strong public-private collaboration ensures that our country’s most critical objectives are met. PSC’s member companies are true strategic partners, helping the government achieve results that would otherwise be difficult or impossible — and doing so with the efficiency and agility required in today’s fast-changing environment.

For more than 50 years, PSC has been the leading trade association and voice of the government contracting industry, championing the value that private industry brings to public service. As we navigate new challenges — from artificial intelligence to infrastructure renewal, from border security and immigration enforcement to global security — PSC and our growing list of members remain committed to collaborating closely and working in partnership with our federal colleagues.

Now is the time to shape a new era of government together—one that is right-sized, agile, flexible, accountable, and relentlessly focused on delivering best-in-class results for the American people.

To get there, we must recognize federal contractors for what they truly are: strategic mission partners fueling innovation, driving efficiency, and amplifying impact across every corner of government. Join PSC as we turn this vision into reality.

Jim Carroll is CEO of the Professional Services Council, a trade association representing more than 400 companies that provide services and solutions to federal agencies.