The Defense Department inspector general’s office last month began auditing contracting procedures at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., to determine whether officials there properly handled multiple-award contracts for services. Specifically, inspectors are looking at whether “contracting officials provided a fair opportunity to compete, supported price reasonableness determinations, and performed surveillance for task orders” issued under these contract types, states a letter, dated Oct. 22, from Jacqueline Wicecarver, assistant IG for acquisition and contract management. The IG’s November update disclosed the investigation. The Pentagon spends about $200 billion annually on services, according to the IG.
The Pentagon agency charged with building and operating U.S. spy satellites recently declassified some details about a Cold War-era surveillance program called Jumpseat—a revelation it says sheds light on the importance of satellite imaging technology and how it has advanced in the decades since.
