CDC Targets 2027 Hiring as Workforce Morale and Trust Remain Low

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing a hiring plan expected to begin in 2027, as the agency works to replenish its workforce after substantial staffing cuts. CDC Director Erica Schwartz, who became the agency’s permanent director in August 2026, described employee morale and psychological safety as being at an “all-time low.” She said the CDC is trying to rebuild trust both among employees and with a skeptical public, against a backdrop of leadership upheaval and organizational change. The report provides no staffing targets, position categories, hiring schedule, or budget for the plan.

Schwartz made the remarks during a healthcare conference fireside chat, where she also reflected on the agency’s relationship with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “I do think during the COVID pandemic, there was an arrogance that came from institutions like the CDC, telling Americans that ‘You will do this, you shall do this,’ and really not having a conversation with the American public. And I want to be a CDC director that really has a conversation with the American public.” Her comments frame the hiring plan within a broader effort to restore internal confidence and public trust, rather than as an announcement of a new contracting initiative.

The workforce issue follows major cuts in the prior year and a period of leadership changes. The source also describes the August 2025 shooting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, in which responding police officer David Rose was killed. Schwartz incorrectly referred to the officer as “Officer Stone” during her remarks; the article notes that this was the second recent instance of a senior agency leader misidentifying the officer. That context underscores the strain facing the organization, but does not establish any procurement requirement or contractor role.

For government contractors, the 2027 plan is a watch item—not a bid opportunity. A larger or renewed federal workforce can change the balance between in-house capacity and contracted support, but the report does not identify services the CDC may seek, funding, acquisition timing, or a solicitation. Companies supporting public-health agencies should monitor official CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcements and future budget or acquisition materials before allocating capture resources. No bid or capture action is supported by this report alone.

• CDC expects a hiring plan to begin in 2027 to replenish staffing after major workforce cuts; no headcount or hiring targets are reported.
• Director Erica Schwartz said employee morale and psychological safety are at an “all-time low” amid staffing cuts and leadership changes.
• Schwartz described the agency’s objective as rebuilding trust with both its workforce and the public.
• The report identifies no active solicitation, contract value, confirmed procurement opportunity, or specific services under consideration.
• The hiring plan could influence future contractor demand, but its effect on the balance between federal employees and contractors is not yet clear.
• Public-health contractors should track CDC and HHS workforce, budget, and acquisition announcements rather than treat the plan as an RFP signal.
• The source reports that responding officer David Rose was killed in the August 2025 shooting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta; Schwartz’s remarks incorrectly identified him as “Officer Stone.”
• Schwartz’s comments on COVID-era communications point to a broader trust-rebuilding effort, not a stated procurement or policy change.