October 03, 2003   SUNSHINE FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDED IN IRAQI SPENDING BILL Senate Approves Amendment Requiring Disclosure on No-Bid, Closed-Bid Awards   WASHINGTON – The Senate has approved legislation requiring federal agencies to publicly justify any Iraqi reconstruction contract awarded without an open and competitive bidding process, in order to inform the public of the contracts’ costs, and of how the agency identified the companies invited to bid. Senator Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., joined Senators Susan Collins, R-Me., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and eight other senators in sponsoring the bipartisan amendment to the Senate supplemental spending bill for Iraq. The Senate approved the amendment by a voice vote late Thursday. “The American taxpayer will be financing the reconstruction of Iraq at a cost of tens of billions of dollars,” Lieberman said. “With this amount of money at stake, the government needs to be held accountable. Taxpayers should know exactly how their money will be spent, why particular companies receive favorable treatment, and whether cost-saving measures are being taken. This amendment will bring an illuminating ray of sunshine into the process.” The amendment requires the Administration to make public all documents justifying any non-competitive bidding process used for the reconstruction of Iraq and funded by the Iraq spending bill. The information that must be published includes the cost of the contract, a brief description of the contract’s scope, a list of companies selected for the closed bidding process, and explanations of how and why the agency chose those contractors. The publication of this information, along with the justifying documents for the closed bidding process, will allow for greater Congressional oversight and help ensure a more transparent and more fair procurement process. Estimates of the total cost of reconstruction in Iraq, including the rebuilding of schools, roads and other infrastructure, are approaching $100 billion dollars. This sunshine amendment requires public accountability for the use of secretive bidding procedures that may expose taxpayers to additional cost. In September 2000, the U.S. General Accounting Office found that closed-bid and no-bid contracts can cost taxpayers more, specifically citing cost overruns on logistical and engineering projects involving the U.S. military. DOD and other Federal agencies have already awarded billions of dollars’ worth of Iraqi reconstruction contracts with limited or no competition.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 October 2003 Press Releases   October 31 - McCain, Reed, DeWine, Lieberman to Offer Gun Show Background Check Amendment to Gun Immunity Bill   October 30 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce Grants for Connecticut Fire Fighters   October 30 - Lieberman Condemns Bush Administration Plan to Open Wilderness-like Lands to Oil and Gas Industry   October 29 - Lieberman Queries DHS on Insecurity of Plum Island   October 28 - Senators Question Weaknesses in Border Protection, Especially Risk Assessment of Cargo   October 27 - Lieberman Mourns District's First Elected Mayor   October 24 - Lieberman Seeks Investigation of Ricin Response   October 24 - Senators Seek Investigation of Impact of CIA Agent's Exposure   October 23 - Barbara Kennelly Post Office in Hartford Approved by Committee   October 22 - D.C. Should Have More Control Over Its Own Money   October 22 - Senators Question Excessive Reliance on Consultants for Proposed Outsourcing of Immigration Information Officers   October 22 - Lieberman, Durbin: GAO Study Shows Federal Regulatory Process Still not Open to the Public   October 21 - Federal Electronic Rulemaking Progresses, But More Work is Needed   October 17 - DOD Privacy Protections Questioned by Bipartisan Trio Collection of JetBlue Passenger Information May Have Violated the Law   October 17 - Lieberman to White House: Speed Up Document Production for September 11th Commission   October 15 - Democrats Seek Security Training for Flight Crews   October 15 - Lieberman Reacts to 9/11 Commission Decision to Subpoena Administration for Documents   October 14 - Lieberman Pushes for Bio-Terror Preparedness on Second Anniversary of Senate Anthrax Attack   October 10 - Lieberman Says DHS and Department of Education Should Work to Prepare Schools for Terrorist Attacks   October 10 - Lieberman Questions Administration Commitment to Clean Air Litigation   October 8 - Lieberman, Jeffords Seek Plans for Protection of Water, Other Vital Services   October 8 - Lieberman, Dodd Announce Grants for Connecticut Fire Fighters   October 3 current Press Release   October 3 - Lieberman, Levin Introduce Improved Independent Counsel Law   October 2 - Administration Preparing to Let Air Polluters Off Hook
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510