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Government Privatization
Related Resources (government documents and letters)
POGO Files
Proposed Contractor Compensation Data Collection Tool Will Enhance Accountability and Transparency
October 11, 2011
Testimony of POGO's Scott Amey on the Intelligence Community Contractors: Are We Striking the Right Balance?
September 20, 2011
Podcast: Discussing the Bad Business Report
September 15, 2011
Bad Business: Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Wasted on Hiring Contractors Service contract award dollars have dramatically increased in recent
years based on the assumption that shifting work to the private sector
saves taxpayer dollars. POGO’s report compares total annual compensation
for federal and private sector employees with federal contractor
billing rates in order to determine whether the current costs of federal
service contracting serves the public interest. Previous analyses have
only focused on employee salaries and compensation and not federal
contractor billing rates. POGO’s study shows that the federal government
approves service contract billing rates that, on average, pay
contractors 1.83 times more than the government pays federal employees
in total compensation, and more than 2 times the full compensation paid
in the private sector for comparable services. Given that one-quarter of
all discretionary spending now goes to service contractors, a
reassessment of the total federal work force, with a focus on contractor
billing rates, could save taxpayers billions of dollars annually.
September 13, 2011
POGO Study: Private Service Contracts Cost Government Almost Double Expense of In-House Staff
September 13, 2011
Appendix A
September 13, 2011
Federal Government Needs Strong, Independent Auditor to Oversee Billions in Contract Spending, POGO Tells Senate Panel
February 1, 2011
An Agency Reborn Joins Contractor Ethics Debate
January 14, 2011
POGO Comments on DoD Prohibition of Contractor Interrogators
December 21, 2010
Enhanced safeguards needed for personal services contracts
November 8, 2010
Podcast: Private Security Contracting in Afghanistan POGO staffers discuss a recent report issued by the State Department Office of the Inspector General, which evaluated the performance of the private security contractor responsible for guarding the U. S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The report confirmed many of the findings of POGO's 2009 investigation into "Lord of the Flies" environment that had taken hold of the embassy's private security guard force.
November 4, 2010
Col. T.X. Hammes Says Private Security Contractors Perform "Inherently Governmental" Functions
October 14, 2010
Podcast: Fun with Inherently Governmental Functions
June 24, 2010
POGO Advocates for Additional Protections When Considering Work Performed by Government or Contractor Employees
June 1, 2010
Administration Takes Careful Look at Work Performed by Government and Private Sector Employees
March 31, 2010
POGO Releases Previously Unreleased State Department IG Audit: Shortcomings in State’s Oversight of Baghdad Embassy Security Force
March 26, 2010
Contractor conflict of interest rule needs improvement
January 12, 2010
National Transportation Program Benefits Contractor at the Expense of the Traveling Public, USDOT IG Finds
December 14, 2009
Do Private Contractors Serve The Public Interest?
October 13, 2009
POGO Supports Whistleblower Review
September 17, 2009
Testimony of Danielle Brian before the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan
September 14, 2009
POGO Statement on ArmorGroup Whistleblower Lawsuit Filed Today: State Department Accountability Remains Key Management Issue
September 10, 2009
POGO Statement on Kabul Embassy Guard Firings
September 4, 2009
Retaliation: Whistleblower Allegedly Forced Out After Helping To Expose Guard Scandal At U.S. Embassy Kabul
September 3, 2009
Failed Oversight and Management of Security Contract at U.S Embassy in Afghanistan
September 1, 2009
POGO Releases Contract of Contractor Hired to Investigate Contractors: What's Wrong with This Picture?
October 10, 2008
U.S.-Iraq Deal on Contractor Immunity Goes Fourth
July 3, 2008
Senator Proposes Solutions to Contracting Fraud
June 25, 2008
Seven Years Later: The Jury Is Still Out on Outsourcing
April 25, 2008
Air Force Wants Contractors to Write Its Strategy
March 28, 2008
GSA Hired CACI to Process Suspension and Debarment Cases
February 5, 2007
POGO comments on a government attempt to restrict outsourcing jobs associated with purchasing goods and services
May 23, 2005
Related Resources
Inquiry Into The Role And Oversight Of Private Security Contractors In Afghanistan
Committee On Armed Services, United States Senate
October 7, 2010
Letter For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Civilians of NATO ISAF and US Forces-Afghanistan Regarding COMISAF's Counterinsurgency Culture
David H. Petraeus, General, United States Army Commander, International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces-Afghanistan
August 1, 2010
Warlord, Inc.; Extortion and Corruption Along the U.S. Supply Chain in Afghanistan
Report of the Majority Staff, Representative John F. Tierney, Chair, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs; Committee On Oversight and Government Reform; U.S. House of Representatives
June 1, 2010
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
Senators McCaskill, Collins, and Bennett's letter to Department of State regarding the allegations of whistleblower retaliation
, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Senator Susan Collins, Senator Robert Bennett
September 16, 2009
McCaskill Questions Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on Contracting in Afghanistan
, Press Office of Senator Claire McCaskill
September 15, 2009
McCaskill Statement On Wartime Contracting Commission Hearing On Kabul Embassy Contract
, Press Office of Senator Claire McCaskill
September 14, 2009
Testimony of Terry Pearson
, Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan
September 14, 2009
C-Span Video: Commission on Wartime Contracting Hearing on State Dept. Hiring Practices
, C-Span (follow the video links to watch the 3 sessions of witnesses)
September 14, 2009
U.S. Department of State Response to POGO's September 1, 2009 letter regarding the U.S. Embassy in Kabul
, U.S. Department of State
September 8, 2009
Wartime Contracting to probe State Department oversight and contractor-employee conduct
, Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan
September 4, 2009
U.S. Embassy Statement on Local Guard Force
, United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan
September 4, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Transcript
, State Department Press Secretary Ian Kelly
September 2, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Video
, State Department Press Secretary Ian Kelly
September 2, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Video
, State Department with Ian Kelly, Department Spokesman
September 1, 2009
State Department Daily Press Briefing Transcript
, State Department with Ian Kelly, Department Spokesman
September 1, 2009
Senator Claire McCaskill's letter to Dept. of State, Under Secretary for Management, Patrick Kennedy regarding the contractor employees performing guard security at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
September 1, 2009
The Public Cost of Private Security in Afghanistan (Briefing Paper)
Jake Sherman and Victoria DiDomenico, Center On International Cooperation, New York University
September 1, 2009
Audit of USAID/Iraq's Community Stabilization Program
Office of the Inspector General, Audit Report #E-267-08-001-P, United States Agency International Development
March 18, 2008
Contracting: Additional Personal Conflict of Interest Safeguards Needed for Certain DoD Contractor Employees
, Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report # GAO-08-169
March 1, 2008
POGO in the News
Deepwater acquisition sinks, but not without lessons, Alice Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, January 15, 2012
Siemens Pivots To Thrive In US After Bribery Settlement, Samuel Rubenfeld, The Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2011
Pentagon moves against conversion of in-house work to contractors, Charles S. Clark, Government Executive (govexec.com), December 7, 2011
Obama Fights Senate Attempt to Limit Contractors Doing Government Work, Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov.com, November 29, 2011
A Hidden Toll as States Shift to Contract Workers, By Motoko Rich, The New York Times , November 7, 2011
House committee approves bill to cut 10% of workforce by 2015, Stephen Losey, Federal Times, November 3, 2011
Five places where the rich got richer, Daniel Denvir and John Paul DeWitt, Salon, October 27, 2011
Letter to the Editor: Cost comparisons, Paul Chassy, Investigator, Project On Government Oversight, Federal Times, October 17, 2011
One nation, underemployed, Sally Kohn, Reuters, October 7, 2011
NASA Leverages In-House IT Talent, Brittany Ballenstedt, Next Gov, September 21, 2011
Defining intelligence contractors’ jobs, and pay, is a fuzzy job, Joe Davidson, The Washington Post; The Federal Diary, September 20, 2011
Contract labor: Pay, benefits often double that of feds, Sarah Chacko, Federal Times, September 19, 2011
Study: Privatizing government doesn’t actually save money, Brad Plumer, The Washington Post; Ezra Klein's Wonkblog, September 15, 2011
Government Pays More in Contracts, Study Finds, Ron Nixon, The New York Times, September 12, 2011
OMB announces final guidance on inherently governmental functions, Charles S. Clark, Government Executive, September 9, 2011
U.S. security group forced to pay $7.5million fine for partying in Afghanistan, , Mail Online, July 8, 2011
Efforts to bring jobs in-house may be losing momentum, Charles S. Clark, Government Executive, May 31, 2011
The Pentagon retreats on insourcing as spending slows, By Marjorie Censer, The Washington Post, April 3, 2011
Vodka Butt-Shot Contractor STILL Guarding the Kabul Embassy, By Daniel Schulman, Mother Jones, February 17, 2011
Hey, DynCorp. Two Words About Your Dancing Afghan Boy Problem: Damage. Control., By Nell Minow , BNET.com, December 23, 2010
Oversight woes hound private job agencies, By Jason Clayworth, Des Moines Register, October 30, 2010
At Least They're Not Doing Vodka Butt Shots Anymore, David Isenberg, The Huffington Post, October 29, 2010
More Contracts Flood KBR (KBR) with Cash Despite a Questionable Reputation, By Leo Sun, Investorguide.com, September 23, 2010
Treasury declines to allow law firm to testify before oversight panel, By Ryan Holeywell, BailoutSleuth.com, September 22, 2010
Inherent or Non-Inherent: That is the Question, By David Isenberg, The Huffington Post, July 6, 2010
Defining 'inherently governmental' and role of contractors in U.S. war fight, By Joe Davidson, The Washington Post, June 22, 2010
Guard work defies easy labels, By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, June 18, 2010
More jobs shift to feds under proposed guidance, By Gregg Carlstrom, Federal Times, April 4, 2010
Administration puts its stamp on 'inherently governmental', By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, March 31, 2010
Surprise! Another War-Zone Embassy Poorly Guarded by Contractors, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent, March 26, 2010
Federal Diary: Federalizing security contractors might make our country safer, By Joe Davidson, Washington Post, January 29, 2010
GAO's Former Top Lawyer Grabs the Ax as Contract Chief, By Jenna Greene, The National Law Journal; Law.com, January 5, 2010
U.S. System for Tracking Traffic Flow Is Faulted, By Eric Lipton, The New York Times, December 13, 2009
Going Naked in Kabul, By Gail Collins, Opinion Piece, New York Times, December 11, 2009
Contractors Watching Contractors, By Jeremy Scahill, The Nation, December 10, 2009
Lawmakers slam office overseeing Afghan rebuilding, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; GovExec.com, December 9, 2009
Race to the Bottom , By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive Magazine, December 9, 2009
State Department drops contractor involved in Embassy Kabul scandal, By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy: The Cable, December 8, 2009
U.S. Seeks New Guards in Kabul, By August Cole, Wall Street Journal On-line, December 8, 2009
Controversial security firm loses Kabul contract, By Ed O’Keefe, The Washington Post; Federal Eye, December 8, 2009
State fires embattled security contractor, By Elise Castelli, Federal Times, December 8, 2009
ArmorGroup Loses Kabul Embassy Contract, By Daniel Schulman, Mother Jones, December 8, 2009
Company losing security contract for Kabul embassy, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; ABC News, December 8, 2009
POGO: ArmorGroup loses Kabul embassy contract, By Laura Rozen, Politico, December 8, 2009
Were ArmorGroup Allegations Quashed? State Department Inspector Gen.'s Office "Lost" Complaint against Troubled Security Co., By Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, September 29, 2009
Podcast: POGO's Danielle Brian, , Private Military Herald podcast; PMH Radio, September 20, 2009
The business of war and profit: Aren’t we proud?, By Kelley Vlahos, The American Conservative Magazine, September 17, 2009
Official Says Contractor in Kabul May Be Ousted, By Ginger Thompson, The New York Times, September 14, 2009
Not Just Whistling Dixie with Guest Terry Pearson, former U.S. contractor, With Rachel Maddow, The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, September 14, 2009
Official: Kabul Embassy Hazing Covered Up, By Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News Online, September 14, 2009
POGO Blasts State Department Over ArmorGroup Oversight Before Wartime Contracting Commission, By Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent, September 14, 2009
State Department contracting scandal: Kennedy on the hotseat, By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy, September 14, 2009
State urged to cancel Kabul embassy security contract, By Elizabeth Newell, Government Executive Magazine, September 14, 2009
Embassy Scandal: A New Abu Ghraib?, By Dan Schulman, Mother Jones, September 14, 2009
State Department's Oversight of Security Contractors Is Scrutinized, By Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post, September 13, 2009
Company Kept Kabul Security Contract Despite Record, By Ginger Thompson and Mark Landler, The New York Times, September 12, 2009
Afghan Embassy Scandal's Link to Cost-Cutting Security, By Ken Stier, TIME Magazine, September 11, 2009
Whistleblower sues Afghanistan security contractor, By Charley Keyes, CNN, September 11, 2009
Ex-Manager: More Excesses By U.S. Embassy Guards, By Michele Keleman, National Public Radio, September 11, 2009
2 Say They Reported Abuses at Embassy , By Ginger Thompson with Mark Landler, The New York Times, September 10, 2009
Embassy contractor faces new charges, By Jen DiMascio, Politico, September 10, 2009
POGO Reacts to ArmorGroup Whistleblower Lawsuit, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent Online, September 10, 2009
Ex-managers: security firm cut corners at embassy, By RIichard Lardner, The Examiner; Associated Press, September 10, 2009
Naked Pool Parties, Alleged Sex Acts at Kabul U.S. Embassy Force Out 10 Guards, By Megan Chuchmach and Nick Schifrin, ABC News The Blotter With Brian Ross, September 4, 2009
Systemic Problems Found With State Department Contract With Kabul Embassy Security, By Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent Online, September 4, 2009
Concerned Foreign Service Officers: Photos Are An 'Ugly Manifestation' of State Department Contractor Culture, By Spencer Ackerman, The Washington Independent, September 3, 2009
First Person: 'Lewd Behavior' At U.S. Embassy, , Associated Press via YouTube, September 2, 2009
Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops In Afghanistan, by Kevin Whitelaw, NPR - National Public Radio, September 2, 2009
Contractors in Kabul accused of 'lewd and deviant behavior', By Gordon Lubold , Christian Science Monitor, September 2, 2009
Contractor to Continue Work in Iraq Temporarily, By Mark Landler, New York Times, September 2, 2009
'Deviant hazing' alleged at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, , CNN.com/Asia, September 2, 2009
Life During Wartime: U.S. Embassy contractors gone wild?, , The Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC, September 2, 2009
Afghan U.S. Embassy patrol in 'deviant' parties with booze, hookers - report, By Richard Sisk , New York Daily News, September 2, 2009
Clinton told of security failings in Afghanistan, By Richard Lardner, Associated Press; Houston Chronicle, September 1, 2009
Allegations of misconduct by the private security company guarding the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul, With Margaret Warner, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer (audio) Video is available here http://video.pbs.org/video/1236177496 (scroll until there's 27:57 left) , September 1, 2009
Animal House in Afghanistan, By Daniel Schulman, Mother Jones, September 1, 2009
U.S. Embassy Guards Accused of Misconduct in Afghanistan, By Ann Scott Tyson, The Washington Post, September 1, 2009
'Lord of the Flies' in Kabul, By Jen Dimascio, Politico, September 1, 2009
Kabul Embassy Report, With Jill Dougherty, CNN, September 1, 2009
Watchdog questions security at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, By David Alexander, Reuters, September 1, 2009
POGO investigates abuses at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, By Frank Munger, Knoxnews.com, September 1, 2009
Group: US Embassy Guards in Kabul Are Mistreated , , Associated Press; The New York Times, September 1, 2009
Guards Gone Wild in Kabul, With Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News, September 1, 2009
Watchdog group alleges misbehavior by State Dept. security contractors, By Elise Castelli, Federal Times, September 1, 2009
Watchdog Group: US Embassy Security in Kabul RiskySecurity Guards Overworked, Sleep-Deprived and Subject To Humiliating Hazing, Including Being Urinated On, Watchdog Says, , CBSNews, Online, September 1, 2009
Oversight Group Reports Security Flaws at U.S. Embassy in Kabul, , FoxNews Blog, September 1, 2009
Blackwater tapped foreigners on secret CIA program, By Adam Goldman and Pamela Hess, Associated Press; ABC News, August 31, 2009
U.S. Still Using Security Firm It Broke With, By Mark Landler and Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, August 21, 2009
Napolitano must define inherently government work, find people to do it, By Alice Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, July 2, 2009
DHS scrutiny of services contracts draws flak, By Alice Lipowicz, Washington Technology, June 10, 2009
DHS review of service contract draws fire, By Alice Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, June 5, 2009
Government by Contractor Is a Disgrace, By Thomas Frank, Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2008
Obama To Tackle Explosion In Federal Contracts, By Daniel Zwerdling, National Public Radio, November 24, 2008
Dogs of War: Who watches the watchers?, By David Isenberg, United Press International, October 17, 2008
Critics allege State broke acquisition rules in Baghdad contract, By Robert Brodsky, Government Executive, October 14, 2008
Outsourcing The Fight, By P.W. Singer, Forbes.com, June 6, 2008
Increasing reliance on private contractors in Iraq raises questions, By Lauren Gregory, Chattanooga Times Free Press, May 2, 2008
Security Progress in Baghdad Draws Entrepreneurs, , NPR: Morning Edition, May 1, 2008
Investigators: Millions in Iraq contracts never finished, , Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan), April 28, 2008
In Washington, Contractors Take On Biggest Role Ever, by Scott Shane and Ron Nixon, New York Times, February 4, 2007
