http://mccaskill.senate.gov News & other important information from Senator Claire McCaskill. en-us Copyright 2013 Claire McCaskill Mon, 20 May 2013 21:40:07 EST Subcommittee Chairman Claire McCaskill sent a letter requesting official comments regarding the applicability of Iran sanctions to government contractors, including whether the law should be changed to ensure that current or prospective government contractors cannot do business with companies owned or controlled by the government of Iran. Chairman McCaskill to American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) --> http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1641 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST Today Chairman McCaskill wrote to Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Michael Huerta to ask for information about the FAA's Air Traffic Controller Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS) contract. The Subcommittee has learned that the ATCOTS contract, which was awarded to Raytheon in 2008, is due to run out of money by August 2012, more than a year before the contract is due to end. To address the shortfall in funding and continue the training, FAA may be planning to exercise the first three-year option period earlier than anticipated. Exercising the option early would commit FAA to a three-year contract without addressing the need to update cost estimates, define training requirements, and develop and implement appropriate performance measures. Instead, it appears that FAA plans to continue the ATCOTS contract without adequately addressing many of the issues which have led to the current cost overruns and performance shortfalls. Chairman McCaskill to FAA Requesting More Information on ATCOTS Contract --> http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1629 Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST Following the Subcommittee’s June 5, 2012 hearing on veterans employment by government contractors, Chairman McCaskill today requested the input of the American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America regarding the challenges faced by veterans as they seek employment. Letter to AMVETS --> Letter to The American Legion Letter to Disabled American Veterans --> Letter to Military Order of the Purple Heart Letter to Military Officers Association of America Letter to The National Guard Association of the United States  Letter to Paralyzed Veterans of Americans Letter to Reserve Officers Association Letter to Veterans of Foreign Wars Letter to Vietnam Veterans of America  http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1606 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:58:00 EST In a letter to Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, Chairman McCaskill asked for information and a briefing regarding federal bonus policies and how to ensure that bonuses aren't awarded to individuals under investigation by agency Inspectors General. A comprehensive breakdown of bonuses awarded to GSA employees --> Letter to the Office of Personnel Management --> http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1589 Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:55:00 EST In a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Claire McCaskill, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Jeffrey Zients stated that OMB expects to issue guidance to federal agencies on insourcing and cost analysis in mid-July. Acting Director Zients also stated that on May 22, 2012,OMB approved the Defense Department's plan to begin collecting information from contractors regarding service contracts, including direct labor costs. OMB Response to Chairman McCaskill --> http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1580 Wed, 30 May 2012 12:01:00 EST In light of new information received by the Subcommittee following recent reports of misconduct by GSA officials, Chairman McCaskill asked GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini to provide information regarding the GSA's award of cash bonuses to officials under investigation by the Inspector General.  Letter to General Services Administration Acting Administrator http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1529 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:33:00 EST Chairman McCaskill asked the GSA Inspector General for more information regarding the recent report finding waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the 2010 Western Regions Conference.  Letter to General Services Administration Inspector General Requesting Additional Information http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1525 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:21:00 EST On March 15, in response to Chairman McCaskill's request, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report assessing the General Services Administration's acquisition plan and technological strategy for the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE).  GAO Report on the Integrated Acquisition Environment Letter to GAO Requesting an Assessment of the Acquisition Plan and Technology Strategy for the Integrated Acquisition Environment http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1509 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST Senators McCaskill and Webb sent a letter urging their Senate colleagues to co-sponsor S. 2139, The Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act of 2012. Dear Colleague Letter Regarding Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act The Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act (S. 2139) http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1510 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:15:00 EST As part of the Subcommittee's ongoing oversight of public relations and advertising contracts, Chairman McCaskill and Ranking Member Portman wrote to eleven federal departments and agencies to request information regarding contracts for the acquisition of public relations, publicity, advertising, communications, and other similar services.  Letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Letter to Department of Housing and Urban Development Letter to Department of Education  Letter to Department of Justice  Letter to Consumer Product Safety Commission Letter to Environmental Protection Agency  Letter to Department of Defense  Letter to National Labor Relations Board  Letter to Department of Health and Human Services  Letter to Department of Labor     Letter to Department of Agriculture    http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1475 Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST Today Chairman McCaskill asked Army Secretary McHugh to provide information regarding the Army’s use of the Automatic Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) test.  The ANAM test is intended to assist the Army to detect mild or medium traumatic brain injury (TBI). Letter to DOD re TBI Contracts --> http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1423 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:54:00 EST On November 18, 2011, Deloitte provided information in response to Chairman McCaskill’s November 7, 2011 request.  According to the response, Deloitte received over $9 million to perform audits for the federal government in 2010. Deloitte response Deloitte response spreadsheet (.xls) http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1406 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:33:00 EST In response to reports that the Department of Health & Human Services awarded a $433 sole-source contract to buy a smallpox vaccine that may be more expensive and have a shorter shelf-life than existing products, Chairman McCaskill asked the Inspector General to conduct a investigation of the contract award. HHS Smallpox vaccine procurement http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1407 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST Today Chairman McCaskill asked the Department of Labor for information regarding contractors’ compliance with their legal requirements to hire veterans. McCaskill Letter to Solis Re: Vets Hiring Emphasis for Contractors http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1400 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:17:00 EST In a letter sent today, Chairman McCaskill asked President Obama to appoint a new Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).  The position of SIGAR, the Inspector General with responsibility to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse in Afghanistan reconstruction, has been vacant since January 2011. McCaskill Letter to Obama re: SIGAR Vacancy   http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1395 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:51:00 EST   Today Chairman McCaskill requested that the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General conduct a review of the contract for the Air Traffic Controller Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS).  The ATCOTS contract is used to provide training for all new air traffic controllers. ATCOTS Follow-up Request http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1396 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST Following a recent announcement of multiple deficiencies in audits performed by Deloitte & Touche, Chairman McCaskill requested information regarding the audits performed by Deloitte for the federal government. Deloitte Document Request http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1397 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST Prompted by a recent Institute of Medicine report finding that cognitive rehabilitation therapy is moderately effective in treating traumatic brain injury but that more work is necessary to standardize and research treatments, Chairman McCaskill sent letters today to the Defense Department, Department of Education, Department of Health & Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs asking for information about how these agencies plan to implement the Institute’s recommendations. Letter to Duncan re: IOM Recommendations Letter to Panetta re: IOM Recommendations Letter to Sebelius re: IOM Recommendations Letter to Shinseki re: IOM Recommendations   http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1368 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:06:00 EST On October 7, 2011, Chairman McCaskill sent letters to 8 food service management companies and 14 federal agencies requesting information and documents about how food service management companies obtain, account for, and pass through rebates to the federal government. Click here to see the documents related to these 22 requests. http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1364 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:13:00 EST Today Senator Claire McCaskill and Senator John McCain sent a letter to the Defense Department asking for a comprehensive review of all large noncompetitive contracts awarded to Alaska Native Corporations.  The letter is a response to the recent indictment of two Defense Department officials and one senior employee of an Alaska Native Corporation who allegedly conspired to defraud the government of more than $20 million. Letter to Defense Department   http://mccaskill.senate.gov?p=subcommittee_on_contracting_oversight_entry&id=1365 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST