News ● U.S. House of Representatives 

National Security Oversight Subcommittee

Congressman John Tierney, Chairman

 June 25, 2010

Kathryn Prael, 202-226-8613

                (c) 202-641-1387

Contracting in Combat Zones: Who Are Our Subcontractors?

Chairman Tierney continues to examine the implications of contracting in Afghanistan and other contingency environments

Washington, DC -- On Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at 10 a.m. in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Chairman John F. Tierney’s (D-MA) Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs will continue its examination of contracting in combat zones.  Following the Subcommittee’s hearing on the Host Nation Trucking contract in Afghanistan, this hearing will examine the current state of U.S. contracting in contingency environments and will explore ways in which this system could be strengthened.

At the hearing, witnesses will discuss problems with our current contracts and oversight mechanisms and will suggest ways in which the U.S. government could achieve greater visibility, accountability, and control over contractors and subcontractors.  Witnesses will also be asked to discuss the implications of contracting on broader U.S. strategic goals. 

On June 22, 2010, the Subcommittee held a hearing on allegations that Afghan warlords and insurgents are extorting protection payments from the American contractors who transport goods and materials to U.S. troops throughout Afghanistan. Testimony at the hearing continued to demonstrate that the Department of Defense has little visibility into what happens to trucks carrying U.S. supplies in Afghanistan.

WITNESSES: The hearing features a single, four-witness panel including:

·         William Solis, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office

·         Mary Ugone, Deputy Inspector General for Auditing, Department of Defense Inspector General

·         Stuart Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction

·         Richard Fontaine, Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security

WHEN:           Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:         2154 Rayburn House Office Building