Contingency Contracting Further Improvements Needed In Agency Tracking Of Contractor Personnel And Contracts In Iraq And Afghanistan

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Discusses ongoing efforts by the DoD, the Dept. of State (State), and the USAID to track info. on contractor personnel and contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The importance of such data is heightened by the unprecedented reliance on contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan and the evolving U.S. presence in the two countries. This statement focuses on: (1) how info. on contractor personnel and contracts can assist agencies in managing and overseeing their use of contractors; and (2) the status of DoD, State, and USAID¿s efforts to track statutorily-required info. on contractor personnel and contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as recent recommendations to address the shortcomings identified in previous reports. Charts and tables.

Contingency Contracting: Further Improvements Needed in Agency Tracking of Contractor Personnel and Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan

The DoD, State and the USAID have relied extensively on contractors, grantees, and coop. agreement recipients to support troops and civilian personnel and carry out reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The agencies identified common info. on their contracts, grants, coop. agreements, and associated personnel. In their July 2008 memo. of understanding, the three agencies designated the Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) as their system for tracking the required info. This statement addresses: (1) how a lack of info. hinders agencies' management and oversight of contracts, grants, coop. agreements, and associated personnel; and (2) the status of the agencies' continued efforts to implement SPOT.

The DoD and State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have relied extensively on contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, including using contractors to help administer other contracts or grants. Relying on contractors to perform such functions can provide benefits but also introduces potential risks, such as conflicts of interest, that should be considered and managed. This report reviewed: (1) the extent to which DoD, State, and USAID rely on contractors to perform contract and grant administration in Iraq and Afghanistan; (2) the reasons behind decisions to use such contractors and whether the decisions are guided by strategic workforce planning; and (3) whether agencies considered and mitigated related risks. Illus.

The DoD relies greatly on contractors to support its current operations and is likely to continue to depend on contractors in support of future operations. As of Dec. 2009, DoD estimated that over 207,000 contractor personnel were supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. DoD expects to increase the number of contractors as more troops deploy to Afghanistan. This testimony addresses: (1) the challenges DoD faces when trying to provide management and oversight of contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan; and (2) the extent to which DoD has made progress in institutionalizing a department-wide approach to managing and overseeing operational contract support. Charts and tables.