POGO
1100 G Street, NW,
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005-3806
U.S.A.
phone (202) 347-1122
fax (202) 347-1116
501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

 


Competition in Federal Contracting

POGO Files 

Related Resources (government documents and letters)

POGO in the News


POGO Files

Say 'NYET!' to Mergers
April 28, 2008

POGO supports limiting length of noncompetitive contracts in “unusual and compelling urgency” circumstances
March 31, 2008

Genuine competition in contracting is essential in getting the best supplies and services and protecting the public. POGO supports the government's effort to limit the use of limited competition or sole source contracting methods that are prone to abuse.

 


POGO urges Department of Transportation investigation into Traffic Information Contract
October 15, 2007

Competition in contracting is essential to getting fair and reasonable costs and prices for goods and services. The Department of Transportation's "Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration" (TTID) program, to provide real-time traffic information to travelers, highlights a contract that deserves more federal oversight.


The Politics of Contracting: Bajagua's No-Bid Deal
March 31, 2006

There is no reason for the U.S. government to avoid competition for ownership and operation of wastewater treatment plants, whether they are located in the U.S.or in other countries.  However, Bajagua Project, LLC, has effectively utilized the standard avenues of influence – campaign contributions, the revolving door, and lobbying – to apply pressure on the company's behalf. As a result, a number of Members of Congress designed legislation to deliver a sole-source contract for the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment facility in Mexico. Going even further, some Members of Congress and current and former government employees went to bat for the company after the legislation passed, pressuring or lobbying several government agencies to move faster and actually award the contract to Bajagua. 


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Related Resources


Veterans Health Administration: Inadequate Controls over Miscellaneous Obligations Increase Risk over Procurement Transactions
Statement of Kay L. Daly, Director Financial Management and Assurance, Government Accountability Office, Report #GAO-10-307T
December 16, 2009 


Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: Case Studies Show Fraud and Abuse Allowed Ineligible Firms to Obtain Millions of Dollars in Contracts
Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report #GAO-10-306T
December 16, 2009 


Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program (TTID)
Joseph W. Come, Assistant Inspector General for Surface and Maritime Program Audits, Federal Highway Administration, Report # MH-2010-030
December 8, 2009 


DOT IG passes POGO’s letter to Audit Team
Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General, Department of Transportation
September 12, 2008 


Air Force response to IG report
News Release, U.S. Air Force
April 18, 2008 


Federal Highway Administration response to POGO’s call for adequate competition in traffic information program.
J. Richard Capka, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
December 7, 2007 


Alaska Native Corporations; Increased Use of Special 8(a) Provisions Calls for Tailored Oversight
Testimony by David E. Cooper, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office (GAO-06-874T)
June 21, 2006 


Draft GAO Report on Contract Management
, Government Accountability Office (GAO)
March 1, 2006 


Noncompetitive Federal Contracts Increase Under the Bush Administration
, Committee on Government Reform
May 1, 2004 


Letter from International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to Rep. "Duke" Cunningham
Debra J. Little, Acting Commissioner,
October 27, 2003 


Letter from the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to Rep. "Duke" Cunningham
Debra J. Little, Acting Commissioner, International Boundary and Water Commission United States and Mexico
September 22, 2003 


Memorandum For ALMAJCOM/DRU/FOA (Contracting)
DARRYL A. SCOTT, Brig Gen, USAF, Department of the Air Force
October 5, 2001 


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POGO in the News


Proposed conflict of interest rule is a lightning rod for criticism, By Robert BrodskyGovernment Executive (govexec.com), July 27, 2010 


Former FEMA director's firm to help consult on flood, By Getahn WardThe Tennessean.com, May 25, 2010 


Military Restructures Afghanistan Police Contract; Blackwater-Linked Army Office Stripped of Control, By Spencer AckermanThe Washignton Independent, March 25, 2010 


USPS official directs sole-source $4.5M contract to former colleague, By Stephen LoseyFederal Times, March 18, 2010 


A Promise Broken on a vow to end no-bid contracts, By Wes AllisonPolitiFact.com; The St. Petersburg Times, January 6, 2010 


U.S. System for Tracking Traffic Flow Is Faulted, By Eric LiptonThe New York Times, December 13, 2009 


No-bid contracts mean higher costs under stimulus law, By Brett J. BlackledgeAssociated Press, July 17, 2009 


Firm's contract kerfuffle highlights stimulus doubts; Local company gets nod for federal Web site revamping, By Alan BrodySouthern Maryland Newspapers Online, July 15, 2009 


Acquisition reform recommendations run the gamut, By Robert BrodskyGovernment Executive, June 16, 2009 


When suspending contractors, size - not action - matters, By Elise CastelliFederal Times, March 2, 2009 


Tough to handle, By Alice LipowiczWashington Technology, March 24, 2008 


IG to investigate traffic data program, contract, By Mary MosqueraFederal Computer Week, February 4, 2008 


A Mission to Rebuild Reputations: Upcoming Deals to Test Reforms at Air Force, Boeing, By Dana HedgpethWashington Post, January 17, 2008 


Homeland Insecurity, By Rachael KingBusinessweek.com, December 17, 2007 


A Call for Competition: As No-Bid Deals Soar, House Panel Wants More Oversight, by Dana HedgpethThe Washington Post, June 28, 2007 


No money specifically set for Bajagua project, by Mike LeeSan Diego Union-Tribune, February 6, 2007 


Smell test: how politics influenced a big clean-up deal, by Scot J. PaltrowWall Street Journal, January 29, 2007 


More competition sought for federal contracts, by Kent HooverWashington Business Journal, January 8, 2007 


Federal government has been paying too much for goods and services, with Lisa SylvesterCNN: Lou Dobbs Tonight, December 29, 2006 


United Technologies Air Force parts award suspended, by Jon Steinman and Tony CapaccioBloomberg.com, December 21, 2006 


UTC unit target of a watchdog, by Jon SteinmanHartford Courant, November 29, 2006 


Panel aims to increase competition for services contracts, by Jenny MandelGovernment Executive, July 25, 2006 


Native firms lay out case for receiving no-bid deals, By Dan Joling, Associated PressAnchorage Daily News, July 8, 2006 


Alaska Native Firms Capitalize on No-Bid Deals, By Griff WitteThe Washington Post, April 12, 2006 


Group examines Cheney's role in Bajagua pact , By Caitlin RotherSan Diego Union-Tribune, March 31, 2006 


No Bid Contracts & Shaw Group: Stuck in a Storm of Controversy, By Nicholas VarchaverFortune, October 17, 2005 


Alaska Native Corporations Cash In on Contracting Edge, by Robert O'Harrow, Jr., and Scott HighamWashington Post, November 25, 2004 


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