DHS SERVICE CONTRACTS: Increased Oversight Needed to Reduce the Risk Associated with Contractors Performing Certain Functions
Abstract
DHSs spending on servicessuch as guard services and technology supportrepresents over 75 percent of its annual contract obligations. The Office of Management and Budget has recognized that some service contracts require extra management attention because they pose a risk that the government could lose control of its decisions or operations. GAO was asked to review DHSs use of and planning for service contracts. This report addresses, among other objectives, the extent to which DHS and selected components and offices use, oversee, and budget for service contracts. GAO analyzed Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation data from fiscal years 2013 through 2018; selected non-generalizable samples of four components with high service contract obligations and eight service contracts requiring heightened management attention; and interviewed DHS officials. GAO is making six recommendations, including that DHS provide guidance for documenting and updating the federal workforce needed to oversee certain service contracts and identifying oversight tasks, and report service requirement information in budget documents to Congress. DHS agreed with two of the recommendations and did not agree with four of them. GAO continues to believe the recommendations are valid, as discussed in the report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1121623
Entities
People
- Anne L. Taylor
- Erin Butkowski
- Jacqueline Wade
- Julia Kennon
- Lorraine Ettaro
- Marie A. Mak
- Meghan Perez
- Penny Berrier
- Pete Anderson
- Roxanna Sun
- Signe Janoska-bedi
- Suellen Foth
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office