Contingency Contracting: Improvements Needed in Management of Contractors Supporting Contract and Grant Administration in Iraq and Afghanistan

Abstract

The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have relied extensively on contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, including using contractors to help administer other contracts or grants. Relying on contractors to perform such functions can provide benefits but also introduces potential risks, such as conflicts of interest, that should be considered and managed. Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, GAO reviewed (1) the extent to which DOD, State, and USAID rely on contractors to perform contract and grant administration in Iraq and Afghanistan; (2) the reasons behind decisions to use such contractors and whether the decisions are guided by strategic workforce planning; and (3) whether agencies considered and mitigated related risks. GAO analyzed relevant federal and agency policies and agency contract data, and conducted file reviews and interviews for 32 contracts selected for case studies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2010
Accession Number
AD1105304

Entities

People

  • Anne Mcdonough-hughes
  • Art Jr James
  • Christopher J. Mulkins
  • Gwyneth B. Woolwine
  • Jason Pogacnik
  • Johana R. Ayers
  • John C. Bumgarner
  • John P. Hutton
  • Julia Kennon
  • Justin M. Jaynes
  • Katherine Hamer
  • Kathryn M. Edelman
  • Morgan D. Ramaker
  • Noah Bleicher
  • Shea Bader
  • Thomas P. Twambly
  • Timothy Dinapoli
  • Walker Fullerton

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Contract Administration
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Employment
  • Government Employees
  • Government Procurement
  • House Of Representatives
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Procurement
  • United States
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.