<<Back to Article National Association of Government Contractors www.governmentcontractors.org House committee calls for limits on DoD contracting May 16, 2008 House lawmakers are proposing a three-year ban on public-private job competitions at the Defense Department. The 2009 Defense authorization bill, as passed by the House Armed Services Committee 61-0 on May 14, would halt competitions “to ensure that the services’ operations are fully met” while troops are fighting abroad and the department is reorganizing at home, the committee said in a news release today. The committee also calls for a new, government-wide definition of what constitutes an “inherently governmental” job, which is not subject to possible outsourcing. The committee expressed concern that Defense is outsourcing work that should be done by federal employees. The lawmakers also want Defense to report on the number and type of logistical support contractors needed to meet Defense needs.  Where contractors are already used to perform federal work, lawmakers want Defense to apply the same conflict-of-interest rules that govern the actions of federal employees. In March, the Government Accountability Office reported that contractor employees are not required to disclose financial and other conflicts of interest, putting government decision-making at risk of being improperly influenced by an individual out for personal gain. The bill also includes provisions to implement the recommendations of the Pentagon-appointed Gansler Commission to reorganize Army contingency contracting capabilities to avoid waste, fraud and abuse. The bill adopts the recommendation for expedited hiring authority to speed the process for filling DoD acquisition positions. The bill extends the department’s authority to waive limitations on premium pay for civilian employees deployed in combat zones, as the commission recommended. The committee also requests a review of medical treatment policies for civilians at military facilities and requires Defense to ensure civilian employees and military medical providers are aware of the procedures for caring for civilians in combat zones. Article URL: http://www.governmentcontractors.org/articles/a.563.asp © Copyright 2005-2008 The National Association of Government Contractors