Department of Homeland Security: Improved Assessment and Oversight Needed to Manage Risk of Contracting for Selected Services
Abstract
More than half of the 117 statements of work that GAO reviewed provided for reorganization and planning activities, policy development, and acquisition supportservices that closely support the performance of inherently governmental functions. Other such services supporting a broad range of programs and operations at Coast Guard, OPO, and TSA included budget preparation, regulation development, and employee relations. Decisions to contract for professional and management support services were driven by the need for staff and expertise to get programs and operations up and running. However, for the nine cases we reviewed, program officials did not assess the risk that government decisions may be influenced by, rather than independent from, contractor judgments. These cases included services that have the potential to increase this risk. For example, contractors directly supported DHS missions and performed on an ongoing basis work comparable to that of government employees. Most of the nine contracts also lacked detail or covered a wide range of services. Conditions such as these need to be carefully monitored to ensure the government does not lose control over and accountability for mission-related decisions. DHS has not explored ways to manage the risk of these contractor services, such as through total workforce deployment across the organization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- AD1106392
Entities
People
- John Hutton
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office