EPA to overhaul contract management program

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking several steps to revamp its massive and mismanaged contract program, Christian R. Holmes, an assistant EPA administrator, has announced. This overhaul will change the way EPA operates internally and does business with private companies that provide a range of services to the agency, he says. The changes are in response to EPA inspector general audits of the program; dogged Congressional oversight, especially by Rep. John D. Dingell (D.-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's oversight subcommittee; and recommendations of a standing committee of senior EPA officials established by EPA Administrator William K. Reilly. Holmes is chairman of the standing committee, which reviewed the performance of 4000 contract officers who manage 744 contracts for the agency. The potential value of the existing contract program through 1998 is $13.2 billion. And its reach is awesome, penetrating every EPA program and activity. Long-standing criticism of the...