Eye on Subcontractors

Among the amendments approved this morning by House lawmakers considering the fiscal year 2010 defense authorization bill is a provision requiring new reviews about the Pentagon's use of subcontractors.

The amendment, proposed by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and blessed by the full House, would require the Defense Department to conduct a study on the total number of subcontractors used on “the last five major weapons systems in which acquisition has been completed” and determine if fewer subcontractors could have been more cost effective.

The DOD report would be due March 1, 2010. Also, the Government Accountability Office would have to complete a review of DOD's study by May 1, 2010.