Complicated contracts

Your editorial “Government contracts” (BDN, Aug. 13) correctly lauded Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman for their approach to the complex issues involved with government contracting. While we do not agree with everything contained in their legislation, we do agree with their thoughtful efforts to dig deeper than the headlines to identify and address the challenges faced, especially in emergency contracting and with regard to the acquisition work force.

It is, however, unfortunate that the broader discussion of government contracting has become so dominated by a growing mythology. The claim that the percentage of government work awarded without competition has skyrocketed is simply not borne out by the data, which suggest competition levels are about the same today as they were a decade ago. Similarly, while the government’s reliance on private contractors has grown substantially since the Sept. 11 attacks, particularly in the face of increasingly complex and changing needs, the growth has occurred as the government’s budget and operations have also grown significantly. Thus, when looked at proportionally, the role of contractors has increased only slightly faster than the overall growth in the federal budget.

Finally, we can all agree that waste, fraud and abuse should not be tolerated. And we should always demand improvement. But while it goes largely unreported in the media, the Government Accountability Office (Congress’ investigative arm) and the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction have repeatedly found that the greatest preponderance of problems in the contracting process are not fraud and abuse, but are related to constantly shifting government requirements and work force shortfalls.

Sens. Collins and Lieberman clearly recognize the need to go beyond political rhetoric and focus on the complex and sometimes arcane substance that is federal contracting. They not only recognize the importance of the federal acquisition work force, but also that not all mistakes or failures result from fraud or abuse. For that, they deserve enormous credit.

Stan Soloway

President, Professional Services Council