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Report Finds DHS Lax on Contracting Procedures

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"The files were extremely difficult to locate and were organized in an inconsistent manner," they wrote.

The consultants sharply criticized an array of contracting procedures. Of the 72 contract files reviewed, only 14 were deemed to be in "excellent" shape. Those files contained evidence that the contracts were awarded with adequate competition and represented the best deal for taxpayers.

Forty-seven files met only "minimum" standards and showed little evidence of fair and reasonable pricing or supervision by contracting officials.

Eleven files were deemed to be "seriously inadequate," with key documents missing or incomplete and little evidence that the contracts were competitively awarded or prices were justified.

The consultants said some information in the files "seems to be just enough to 'get by.' "

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), who is in line to assume chairmanship of the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said he intends to hold hearings on DHS contracting next year.

"I expect the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to conduct vigorous oversight of this issue in the 110th Congress," he said.

Staff writer Spencer S. Hsu contributed to this report.

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