NCJ Number
81213
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from the General Accounting Office review of the Justice Department's use of consultants.
Abstract
The review encompassed the extent to which the Department used consultants, purposes for which consultants were used, possible conflicts of interest, and the procurement practices used to award such contracts. Overall, the Department used consultants sparingly, with the exception of two of its agencies -- LEAA and the Department's litigative divisions. The Department spent $18.2 million in fiscal 1980 for consulting services, which represented less than 1 percent of the total 1980 budget. LEAA and the litigative divisions spent 91 and 8 percent, respectively. LEAA consulting contracts were awarded primarily to administer programs and provide technical assistance to State and local law enforcement agencies. The litigative divisions' consulting service contracts were generally for studies and testimony at Federal trials on behalf of the Government. Both agencies generally based their decisions to use consultants on the lack of inhouse expertise. The procurement practices used to award consulting service contracts did not always ensure that the costs were being minimized. The litigative divisions awarded a majority of their contracts without competition. Although LEAA awarded its contracts competitively, it reimbursed the majority of its contractors on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis. The nature of the contracts and the contractors involved did not create the appearance of any conflict of interest. To improve its management of consulting service contracts, the Department has created a preaward contract review committee to monitor contracting practices. This action should have a positive effect on the Department's future procurements. Tabular data are provided. (Author summary modified)