CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING: DOD, State, and USAID Contracts and Contractor Personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan

Abstract

DOD, State, and USAID reported that they obligated at least $33.9 billion during fiscal year 2007 and the first half of fiscal year 2008 on 56,925 contracts with performance in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Almost three-fourths of the reported obligations were for contracts with performance in Iraq, with DOD having significantly more obligations than the other two agencies combined. The three agencies contracts were for services and supplies related to efforts such as construction and capacity building, as well as a range of support services for U.S. military forces and other government personnel. Of the agencies active contracts, almost 97 percent were awarded during the 18-month review period. The extent to which the agencies were required to compete these contracts depended on where the contract was awarded and performed, its dollar value, and the contracting method used. For all of the contracts awarded during the review period, the agencies reported that about two-thirds were competed to one extent or another. Competitively awarded contracts accounted for almost 85 percent of the obligations on new awards. The agencies reported using various competitive procedures, including full and open competition and simplified acquisition procedures, such as competitions among prequalified companies. However, DOD may have understated the extent to which it competed new awards. Of the 85 files we reviewed in Iraq and Afghanistan, we found 14 instances in which DOD reported that the contract had not been competitively awarded but the files indicated that competitive procedures were used to award the contract.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA488358

Entities

People

  • Art James Jr.
  • Brendan S. Culley
  • E. Brandon
  • Jean Mcsween
  • Jessica M. Berkholtz
  • Johana R. Ayers
  • John Hutton
  • Karen Thornton
  • Lisa A. Mcmillen

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan
  • Central Asia
  • Civilian Personnel
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Governments
  • House Of Representatives
  • Information Systems
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Procurement
  • United States Central Command
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Economics
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.