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Pentagon Drops Ball on Contractor Oversight: Report

Says tens of billions in contracts lack decent US supervision

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2009 9:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Though US defense contracting has reached “unprecedented proportions” in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Defense Department isn’t adequately monitoring the contracts, according to an independent watchdog. A report to be presented to Congress tomorrow says the government lacks central records showing the identities, activities, and pay of some 240,000 private workers contracted for tens of billions of dollars, the AP reports.

The 111-page report by the Wartime Contracting Commission, created by Congress last year, says the contracting system is poorly run. One example is a poorly planned $30 million mess hall in Iraq: it’s too late to stop building it, so it will end up a symbol of waste in the war effort. And the report raises the concern that as US troops leave Iraq, supervision of contractors will be even weaker.

KBR, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer William Utt answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press in Washington, Wednesday May 20, 2009.
KBR, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer William Utt answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press in Washington, Wednesday May 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/J. David Ake)
 In this Feb. 20, 2004 file photo, signs welcome visitors to the private North Carolina-based security company Blackwater USA's headquarters near Moyock, N.C.
In this Feb. 20, 2004 file photo, signs welcome visitors to the private North Carolina-based security company Blackwater USA's headquarters near Moyock, N.C.   (AP Photo/Karen Tam, FILE)
In this Aug. 1, 2007, file photo the headquarters of KBR Inc., the contractor that oversees maintenance at most U.S. facilities in Iraq, looms over downtown Houston.
In this Aug. 1, 2007, file photo the headquarters of KBR Inc., the contractor that oversees maintenance at most U.S. facilities in Iraq, looms over downtown Houston.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
SBS
Jun 10, 2009 11:42 AM CDT
This just seems like and extension of the problem of the Defense Department overpaying for everything. i.e. the three hundred dollar hammer. Its easy to overpay when it's not your money.
godawgs
Jun 9, 2009 7:35 AM CDT
As I suspected no Mention of Murtha and all of the no-bid contracts that his family is getting now huh?
Observer
Jun 9, 2009 5:24 AM CDT
This is not just waste - It is treason, conspiracy, fraud and grand larceny. Why isn't the DOJ ripping these criminals to shreds? Or has the Joint Chiefs, DIA and CIA prohibited any investigations into their massive criminal enterprises. Congress needs to be investigated to see how many of their direct family members, business partners, 3-Star buddies and law firms are sucking the system dry while enriching themselves. Turn the Secret Police on them for a while and leave the ordinary citizens alone for Christ's sake. Act like the Chinese and shoot a corrupt government official occasionally to maintain their undivided attention.

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