Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Contractors Targeted in Pentagon Cuts

Gates aims to have procurement staff employed directly by Pentagon

Share

(Newser) – The Pentagon's new budget proposal cuts the role of private contractors by a third—back to pre-9/11 levels—the Washington Post reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to replace tens of thousands of contracted workers with people employed directly by the Pentagon, especially among the vast workforce tasked with buying weapons for the military.

The Obama administration wants "more of the skill in the government rather than contracting out," said one defense analyst, who predicted many businesses built around outsourcing would be ruined by the move. Experts said Gates' plan would likely help the Pentagon reduce its infamous cost overruns, although some cautioned that qualified staff may be hard to lure away from the private sector.

US soldiers stand near an armored Humvee in Afghanistan. The Pentagon plans a major overhaul of its procurement system.
US soldiers stand near an armored Humvee in Afghanistan. The Pentagon plans a major overhaul of its procurement system.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, file)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announces new budget proposals at the Pentagon in Washington yesterday.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announces new budget proposals at the Pentagon in Washington yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that the Pentagon will end the F-22 fighter jet and presidential helicopter programs.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that the Pentagon will end the F-22 fighter jet and presidential helicopter programs.   (AP Photo/US Air Force, Thomas Meneguin, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We are right-sizing the defense acquisition workforce so we can improve our contract oversight and get a better deal for the taxpayers. - Shay Assad, the Pentagon's director of defense procurement and acquisition policy

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
Doctor_Zaius
Apr 7, 09 5:48 AM CDT
Bush's experiment with the private sector was a complete disaster. This has been a long time coming. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Mad
Apr 7, 09 12:08 PM CDT
About godamned time! America's treasure has been squandered mostly from these vultures, all in the name of the war on terror bullshit lie Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
SPH
Apr 7, 09 1:39 PM CDT
I sure don't buy the line about difficulty attracting talent to government employment....There are hundreds of thousands educated, intelligent people looking for work this minute.... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

149 Stories

 Gitmo Inmate Policy Chief Bails 

Phillip Carter led search for prison replacement

10 hours, 55 minutes ago
(Newser) - The Pentagon official tasked with closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center has quit the Obama administration after seven months on the job. Phillip Carter, the chief official in charge of detainee policy, cited personal reasons. His resignation comes in the wake of the administration's announcement that it will miss its... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Pentagon • Guantanamo Bay • Department of Defense • detainee • guantanamo deadline • Phillip Carter • Guantanamo closure

 Feds Point Fingers 
 in Hasan Missteps 

Fort Hood blame game begins

Nov 11, 09 5:43 AM CST
(Newser) - The FBI and the Pentagon are fighting off accusations that someone dropped the ball on Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. Department of Defense officials say that the FBI never notified them that Hasan had been in contact with extremist imam Anwar al-Aulaqi, while the FBI's defenders say that his... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Pentagon • FBI • US military • counterterrorism • Department of Defense • imam • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan • Anwar al-Aulaqi

Brits Hold Up Hacker's  Extradition

Asperger's sufferer accused of cracking Pentagon systems

Oct 27, 09 2:20 AM CDT
(Newser) - American authorities keen to get their hands on a man accused of the biggest military hack in history are going to have to wait. British authorities have "stopped the clock" on the extradition of Gary McKinnon while lawyers examine new medical evidence, say officials. McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • Pentagon • autism • hacker • US military • hacking • Asperger's Syndrome

149 Stories


Gates aims to overhaul military spending
Baltimore Sun

Lawmakers split on Pentagon cuts
Politico


Politics  •  Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Pentagon • Robert Gates • contractors • US military • Department of Defense • procurement • Pentagon waste

from our news partners