Contractors in the Civilian Intelligence Community: An Assessment of Their Use

The intelligence community (IC) uses core contract personnel to augment its workforce. These contractors typically work alongside government personnel and perform staff-like work. Some core contract personnel require enhanced oversight because they perform services that could inappropriately influence the government’s decision making. This book examines the extent to which the eight civilian IC elements use core contract personnel; the functions performed by these personnel and the reasons for their use; and whether the elements developed policies and strategically planned for their use. GAO reviewed and assessed the reliability of the eight civilian IC elements’ core contract personnel inventory data for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, including reviewing a sample of 287 contract records.