Thompson Calls on GAO to Examine Small, Minority, Disadvantaged Contracting at DHS
Majority Staff report finds double-counting used to meet goals
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the Majority Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), released a report entitled “Small, Minority, and Disadvantaged Business in the Department of Homeland Security – Selected Aspects, FY 2007”. The report examines DHS spending on small, minority, and disadvantaged business programs and recommends changes to improve the ability of these firms to access the procurement process.
The report finds that the use of “double-counting” these businesses to fulfill more than one classification category is a common practice and urges the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether the use of this practice undermines the Department’s ability to accurately portray the participation rates of small, minority, and disadvantaged businesses.
Chairman Thompson issued the following statement with the release of the report:
“While the Department has technically met its goals for small, minority, and disadvantaged business contracting, the means by which they’ve met these goals raises serious questions. We cannot allow this numbers game to continue. Small, minority and disadvantaged businesses deserve the same opportunities as other businesses. The federal government cannot attain true transparency in contracting until the numbers game ceases.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978.
