Information Operations Contracts in Iraq
Abstract
This audit was requested by the Commander, U.S. Central Command. We also performed this audit pursuant to Public Law 110-181, "The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008," section 842, "Investigation of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Wartime Contracts and Contracting Processes in Iraq and Afghanistan." Our objective was to determine whether a series of contracts for Information Operations awarded by Multi-National Force-Iraq (W91GDW-08-D- 4013, W91GDW-08-D-4014, W91GDW-08- D-4015, and W91GDW-08-D-4016) met Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements. We also determined whether this procurement satisfied user needs. What We Found The Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/ Afghanistan awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts to four contractors in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. However, the Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan combined psychological operations and public affairs requirements in one contract. Although we did not obtain any evidence that psychological operations were intended for a U.S. audience, the contract language did not clearly differentiate between psychological operations and public affairs, as required by doctrine, creating the appearance that psychological operations were associated with a U.S. audience. Overall, the contracting process resulted in a contract vehicle that was not optimal and may not meet initial psychological operations requirements or user needs. In addition, we determined that an internal control weakness exists in the oversight of the media services contracts. Specifically, the Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan did not prepare a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan for these contracts, and our review of contract documentation did not find evidence that a Contracting Officer's Representative was appointed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA503754
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense