Oversight in your inbox
Weekly newsletter and updates
Latest Policy Publications
POGO’s experts push policymakers to enact commonsense reforms that tackle waste, corruption, and abuse of power; hold those who’ve violated the public trust accountable; protect our constitutional rights; and make the government work for all people.
-
Analysis
Non-Hearing on Capitol Hill
After working on Capitol Hill for three decades, Straus Military Reform Project Director Winslow Wheeler didn't expect much from the April 8 hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. He was not disappointed. His commen...
-
Analysis
7-Day Itch
The EPA's suspension of IBM was lifted on April 3rd--only a week after it was levied. IBM was suspended for receiving and using a competitor's proprietary bid information in order to increase its chance of winning a contract award. Like any suspension of a large contractor, IB...
-
Analysis
Failing the Failed: The Bush Administration and Failed States
As the Bush administration enters its final months, the United States remains challenged by what can and should be done about fragile, failing, and failed states.
-
Analysis
The Federal Graveyard of Whistleblower Cases
A new column in Legal Times underscores why Congress should finish up its bill on whistleblower protections. Legislation has passed in the House and Senate, but now needs to be reconciled before being sent to President Bush, who has already threatened a veto.
-
Analysis
Government Subpoenas Result in Suspension for IBM
On March 27, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspended the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from receiving future federal money. In contracting speak, this means that IBM was "[suspended] by any Federal agency pursuant to Executive Order 1...
-
Analysis
Conflicts of Interest Rules Causing Conflicts
Personal and organizational conflicts of interests are red hot topics circulating around the federal government right now. (Organizational conflicts are created when a contractor has other activities or relationships with the government that could lead to partiality or an unfa...
-
Analysis
Air Force Wants Contractors to Write Its Strategy
The Air Force wants to outsource the synthesization, analysis and writing of its own overarching strategic direction. Inside the Air Force reports: "The Air Force is seeking a private contractor to help prepare its portion of the Defense Department’s Quadrennial Defense ...
-
Analysis
22-Year-Old Arms Dealer Scandal Exposes Flaws in Federal Contracting
The news has recently been abuzz with the story of Efraim Diveroli, the 22-year-old self-described "super nice guy" from Miami Beach who was caught supplying the Afghan government with unreliable and obsolete munitions under a $300 million U.S. Army contract. Diverol...
-
Analysis
Mineral Royalties Hearing: Data Reliability is a Major Risk Factor
One fundamental conclusion could be drawn from Tuesday's House subcommittee hearing on federal oil and gas royalties - the Department of Interior cannot certify the reliability of information used to determine royalty payments.
-
Analysis
Sen. Grassley Seeks to Plug Multibillion-Dollar Contractor Accountability Loophole
Last year, at the Justice Department's urging, a rule was proposed that would require federal contractors to report violations of federal criminal law with regard to the award or performance of contracts. The rule, however, contains many exceptions, including the exclusion of ...
-
Analysis
Troubled Waters
Yesterday, in the Washington Times, David Axe reported that deployment of the Coast Guard's National Security Cutters will be delayed by six months because the ship's radios are not waterproof. That article sent the Coast Guard into a frenzy yesterday to challenge what they sa...
-
Analysis
DOJ Issues Guidelines on Corporate Monitors
The Department of Justice recently issued new guidelines for the selection of corporate monitors in deferred prosecution agreements with companies accused of breaking the law.