MORE GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION CALLED FOR ON BORDER FENCE.Byline: LISA The first personal computer to include integrated software and use a graphical interface. Modeled after the Xerox Star and introduced in 1983 by Apple, it was ahead of its time, but never caught on due to its $10,000 price and slow speed. FRIEDMAN Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- Construction of a $30 billion U.S.-Mexico border fence came under fire Thursday as congressional investigators questioned whether more government oversight is needed. In what lawmakers called a classic case of foxes guarding the henhouse, 60 percent of those overseeing contractors' work on the fence are themselves private contractors. And at least one of the firms hired to keep an eye on to watch. - Shak. See also: Eye the project has a potential conflict of interest with Boeing Co., the prime contractor, congressional investigators say. Federal auditors, meanwhile, warn that the project is in danger of becoming badly mismanaged, but U.S. officials said they have few other options. "The department currently does not have the capacity to oversee a project like this," Richard Skinner
Skinner was born in Litchfield, Connecticut. , inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States , told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "There's more contractors than there are government employees" involved in the fence project, Skinner said. The committee hearing, chaired by Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Democrat Rep. Henry Waxman, is the third in a series of inquiries held this week on contract waste, fraud and abuse. While most of the examinations have involved Iraq -- including $12 billion in reconstruction contracts -- Thursday's hearing focused on two domestic projects that auditors say are riddled with management problems. In addition to the border fence program called SBInet, Waxman also took aim at "Deepwater," the Coast Guard's $24 million fleet overhaul that he said has actually cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Among the problems, Waxman said, has been a heavy reliance on outsourcing -- a model he said the Homeland Security Department There were gaps in the U.S. system for detecting and deterring terrorist acts in the homeland. That became clear September 11, 2001. The Department of Homeland Security is the george w. bush administration's plug for those gaps. is following with the border fence. According to his staff's investigation, eight of the 13 people who developed the acquisition plan for the fence were private contractors. And 60 of the 98 people assigned to oversee the work are contractors. Meanwhile, investigators found that one company hired to oversee Boeing's work is Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., referred to as Booz Allen is one of the oldest strategy consulting firms in the world.[1] The firm formerly had two consulting divisions: WCB (Worldwide Commercial Business, also known as “The Commercial Side”) and WTB , a consultant that also has a multiyear contract with Boeing. Boeing and DHS DHS Department of Homeland Security (USA) DHS Department of Human Services DHS Department of Health Services DHS Demographic and Health Surveys DHS Dirhams (Morocco national currency) officials maintain that they have taken steps to protect taxpayers. The agency is retaining authority over subcontracting, for example, a lesson learned from the Coast Guard problems. And Republicans said they fear that Democrats are just trying to stop construction on the project. "I am deeply concerned that this is a delaying tactic," said Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. lisa.friedman@langnews.com (202) 662-8731 |
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