A Congressional investigation established in the last year of the Bush/Cheney administration finaly ended today. It was charged to study wartime contracting, contracting for the reconstruction, logistical support of coalition forces, and the performance of security functions, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Commission was required to assess the extent of waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement of wartime contracts. The Commission held hearings and had the authority to refer to the Attorney General any violation or potential violation of law it identifies in carrying out its duties.

The panel spent $25 million and unearthed between $31 billion and $60 billion of waste and fraud in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - possibly ongoing fraud - ended today and its documents and records will be sealed from the US public until 2031.



Wartime Contracting Commission releases final report to Congress

Pegs waste, fraud in Iraq, Afghanistan at >$30 billion

Sees threat of more waste in unsustainable projects

Faults both government officials and contractors

Offers 15 recommendations for contracting reform

Wartime Contracting Commission closes its doors September 30.

The report estimated that at least $31 billion, and possibly as much as $60 billion, has been lost to waste and fraud from the $206 billion spent on contracts and grants since U.S. contingency operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 and in Iraq in 2003—and that a similar amount could be lost due to unsustainable projects and programs. The Commission said most of the loss was due to waste, and blamed both government and contractors for the many problems described in its reports. Identified causes of waste include poor planning, imprecise contract requirements, lack of competition, unnecessary purchases or overpayments, inadequate contract management and oversight, unsustainable projects, poor performance, weak enforcement, and a long-standing shortage of federal acquisition personnel. The final report offered 15 strategic recommendations for contracting reform. The Commission’s co-chairs said some of the report’s recommendations are already gaining traction on Capitol Hill, but cautioned that correcting years of neglect and inadequate practices will require an aggressive, long-term effort.

final report