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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.
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Analysis
Flawed Thunderbirds Contract Tainted with Improper Influence
Back in May 2006, POGO posted a blog entry about the Air Force improperly steering a $50 million contract to produce large-scale video shows during Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron performances to a company connected to senior Air Force officers. POGO noted that the Dep...
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Public Comment
POGO’s comments to Congress on Air Force policy changes and CSAR-X report
Thank you very much for your continued oversight of the Air Force's number two acquisition priority, its Combat Search and Rescue replacement (CSAR-X) program. POGO continues to monitor this program as well, as follow-up to our report, Rescue at Risk: Crucial Helicopter Requir...
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Analysis
Bush Legal Eagles Soar To Prestigious Private Roosts
Last week, Legal Times reported that Bush administration lawyers are finding lucrative jobs with private law firms and corporations, where salaries can reach "all the way to comfortably within seven figures," which is far higher than their government salaries. In the...
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Policy Letter
POGO and others urge White House to allow public input on secrecy rules for Controlled Unclassified Information
The undersigned organizations write regarding the need for public input before the final issuance of new rules regarding Controlled Unclassified Information (“CUI”).
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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Public Comment
POGO supports limiting length of noncompetitive contracts in “unusual and compelling urgency” circumstances
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) provides the following public comment to FAR Case 2007-008—Limiting Length of Noncompetitive Contracts in “Unusual and Compelling Urgency” Circumstances. (73 Fed. Reg. 5784 (January 31, 2008)).
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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...
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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 ...