Contracting Process Reform Imperative at DHS
March 4, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report entitled “DHS Contracts Awarded Through Other Than Full & Open Competition During Fiscal Year 2009.”
The OIG examined DHS procurements in FY2009 to assess noncompetitive procurement awards. The OIG found widespread deficiencies in the procurement files it reviewed. Many contracts lacked required documentation of justifications, approvals, or market research. Because of this, the OIG found that DHS can neither ensure that it received the best possible value on goods and services acquired from these contracts nor guarantee that contracts were appropriately awarded. In conclusion, the OIG recommended that DHS develop or strengthen its acquisition oversight review process.
“In this constrained budgetary environment, DHS cannot afford to waste federal dollars. The department must improve oversight of noncompetitive, sole source contracts. The OIG's finding that 79% of the sole source contract files it examined failed to contain statutorily required documentation on market research is inexcusable. Market research must be conducted before a sole source contract is permitted. This finding alone raises concerns about the amount of taxpayer money spent on each one of these deals. The Department must conduct increased internal oversight of sole source contracting before these awards are made. I urge the Department to reform its contracting process and procedures in a way that not only provides a fair process, but also affords true opportunity to small and minority businesses.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
