What it is
The Professional Services Council (PSC) is a trade association for companies that provide technology and professional services and solutions to the federal government. It works on legislative and regulatory issues related to government acquisition, business and technology, and says its mission is to be the leading advocate and resource for that industry. PSC represents more than 400 member companies of all sizes, providing services such as IT, engineering, logistics, facilities management, consulting, international development and environmental services.
What it offers founders
Member benefits fall into four areas: policy leadership and advocacy, market intelligence, executive networking, and branding and exposure. PSC's advocacy is organized around lines of effort including Doing Business With Government, Workforce, Supply Chain and Logistics, Competition and Growth, and Technology Innovation and Modernization. Members can join working groups on topics such as contracting, security clearances and foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI), and the association publishes the quarterly Service Contractor magazine.
PSC hosts more than 200 meetings and events a year, including forums with senior agency, Congressional and White House leaders. Upcoming conferences listed on its site include a Defense Conference, the Vision Federal Market Forecast Conference, an Intelligence Forum and a Leadership Summit. See the events calendar for dates.
Who it is for
Regular membership is for for-profit companies that provide professional or technology services or solutions to the federal government and are actively engaged in federal contracting. Associate membership is for companies that serve federal contractors but do not hold or seek government contracts. It is most useful for founders whose startup already sells to, or is close to selling to, federal agencies.
Membership and pricing
Dues are set by a calculator on the membership page based on gross annual revenue and firm type; no fixed dollar amounts are published. Companies can join online or by downloading the membership application, and the membership team can be reached at 703-875-8059. PSC's offices are at 4401 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1110, Arlington, VA 22203. More background is on the About page.
Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem
Federal contracting is a major part of the DMV economy. For a GovTech or services founder, PSC is a way to follow acquisition policy that affects your business and to meet agency officials and established contractors who may become customers, partners or prime contractors.
