Today, POGO will officially release its revamped Federal Contractor Misconduct Database (FCMD). The database features the top 50 federal government contractors (according to OMB Watch's fiscal year 2005 ranking), and details instances of misconduct or alleged misconduct from 1995 to the present. Our records indicate that the top 50 contractors have received in excess of $177 billion in government contracts in fiscal year 2005, and have accumulated $12.5 billion in fines, penalties, restitution, or civil settlements since January 1, 1995.
The improved database will include a company profile for each of the top 50 federal contractors, as well as contact information and links to their website, ethics page, SEC filings, and political activities. For each instance of misconduct, there is a summary describing the occurrence, as well as links to POGO's sources of information. Additionally, the database features a list of helpful contracting resources, as well as a new, user-friendly sorting mechanism that will allow users to refine their searches by items like contractor name, misconduct type, date, and dollar amount.
POGO expects the FCMD database to emerge as an important resource for the American public and government employees that will help shine a light on contractor misconduct. A recent New York Times article stressed that current misconduct databases have been criticized for being outdated and incomplete, and highlighted POGO's database as a potential new tool for information. Hopefully, our new resource will be used to ensure that taxpayer funds are allocated to responsible contractors who have intentions of serving the American people honestly and efficiently. Furthermore, we hope scrutiny generated by the FCMD will provide greater incentives for contractors to prevent misconduct.
POGO's general counsel, Scott Amey, will testify this afternoon before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. Scott's testimony will emphasize the need for contracting officers to have comprehensive information on contractors' practices in order to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not go to corporations with a list of past improprieties. It will introduce the FCMD as a means of enhancing accountability of our largest federal contractors.
-- Jesse Ferrantella