Improvement and New Legislation Needed in AID's Contracting for Consultants and Advisors

Gao ID: ID-76-82 December 27, 1976

The Agency for International Development (AID) obtains consultant and advisory services to carry out foreign assistance programs.

The AID management information system did not readily identify the total dollar value of personal services contracts awarded during fiscal year 1975, but available data indicate that the value of such contracts was about $1.5 million. Consultants and experts employed on an intermittent basis accounted for another $1.1 million. AID has special authority to use personal services contracts when technical day-to-day supervision is carried out by the host government's officials or when the host government does not wish to contract directly with a foreign technician. In several instances, AID has not observed Civil Service rules with regard to the employment of intermittent consultants and experts. Retired civilian employees serving as experts or consultants are exempted from laws governing the simultaneous receipts of compensation and retirement benefits.

Recommendations

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