Government Contracts Monitor

In Wake of Stimulus, Federal Government Struggles to Improve Grants Website

Grants.gov – the central portal for federal grant opportunities – may not be able to keep up with the unprecedented volume of grants expected to be awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Stimulus Oversight Officials Named, Expect to Find Fraud

Earl Devaney, a former Massachusetts police officer, Secret Service agent, and current Department of Interior Inspector General, was tapped to head the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which will oversee the use of over $750 billion in funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus).

Oversight Panel Turns to Public For Suggestions

Congress has turned directly to the public to solicit advice on reforms to the federal contracting system. Senator Claire McCaskill, chair of the newly formed Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, announced the creation of an on-line discussion forum for members of the public to submit comments on government contracting reforms.

Days Numbered for Two Controversial Bush-Era Contracting Policies?

In his less than two months in office, President Obama has already taken major steps to refocus the contracting system on transparency and accountability. Now, the Administration and Congress appear ready to scale back two Republican-supported contracting policies – Alaskan Native Corporation preferences and competitive sourcing requirements.

New Whistleblower Protections for Employees of Government Contractors and State and Local Governments

The economic stimulus bill that was passed by Congress on February 12, 2009 (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, “ARRA”) includes new whistleblower protections introduced by Sen. Clair McCaskill (D-MO) to prevent fraud in the use of stimulus funds (“McCaskill Amendment”).  

It's Official: Obama Administration to Limit Role of Contractors; Threatens to Cancel Existing Contracts

Today the Obama Administration officially laid out its planned reforms for the procurement system – including the Administration’s plan to rein in the use of contractors in the operation of the federal government.