Government Contracts Monitor

Oversight Panel Turns to Public For Suggestions

March 26, 2009

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.

Among the over 150 suggestions the site has received were the following comments:

"The heart of the contracting problems lies within the disconnect between program offices and contracting offices. Need to re-train current contracting officers on the basics on the FAR and hire many new contracting officers."
Melissa V, Silver Spring, MD   

 

"I suggest the contracting officers insert financial penalties for late delivery of product or services. I also think they should incorporate contractor input in the RFP process. Contractors are often an excellent source of cost cutting alternatives."
Arcent, Missouri

"Members of Congress should try to understand Federal Acquisition [Regulation] before railing on contractors. There is a place for fixed priced contracts, just as there is a place for cost-plus, time and materials and so on."
Peter W, Arlington, VA

Can the public come up with better policy than Congress?