Defense Management. DOD Needs to Reexamine Its Extensive Reliance on Contractors and Continue to Improve Management and Oversight

Abstract

The federal government, including the Department of Defense (DOD), is increasingly relying on contractors to carry out its missions. Governmentwide spending on contractor services has more than doubled in the last 10 years. DOD has used contractors extensively to support troops deployed abroad. The department recently estimated the number of contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan to be about 196,000. DOD also relies heavily on contractors for various aspects of weapon system logistics support. While contractors, when properly used, can play an important role in helping agencies accomplish their missions, GAO has identified longstanding problems regarding the appropriate role and management of contractors, particularly at DOD. This testimony highlights the challenges federal agencies face related to the increased reliance on contractors and the specific challenges DOD has had in managing its increased reliance on contractors who support deployed troops and who provide logistics support for weapons systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 11, 2008
Accession Number
ADA477848

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Civilian Personnel
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Logistics
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Economics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.