United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-07-31 monographic deposited born digital 66 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-966 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966 P0b002ee180389806 f:d08966 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966 GAO-08-966 Accountability Contract administration Contract oversight Contract performance Contracting officers Contractor personnel Contracts Defense capabilities Department of Defense contractors Federal aid to foreign countries International cooperation International relations Iraq War and reconstruction Military forces Reporting requirements Security services contracts Standards Strategic planning Executive agency oversight Program implementation Iraq Iraqi Security Forces Other Written Product A83234

The U.S. government relies extensively on private security contractors (PSC) for a variety of security services. However, incidents involving PSCs have raised concerns about oversight and legal accountability. Under the authority of the Comptroller General and in response to continuing congressional interest, GAO performed this review to examine the extent to which the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of State have strengthened (1) oversight and (2) coordination of private security contractors in Iraq. GAO is also providing information on the legal framework used to hold private security contractor employees legally accountable for their actions in Iraq. GAO reviewed DOD and State Department policies and guidance, and their memorandum of agreement on PSCs; observed operations in Iraq and met with DOD officials there and in the U.S.; and met with officials from the Departments of Justice and State, and private security contractors. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966.pdf GAO-08-966 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-966 Other Written Product GAO-08-966; Rebuilding Iraq: DOD and State Department Have Improved Oversight and Coordination of Private Security Contractors in Iraq, but Further Actions Are Needed to Sustain Improvements; Accountability Contract administration Contract oversight Contract performance Contracting officers Contractor personnel Contracts Defense capabilities Department of Defense contractors Federal aid to foreign countries International cooperation International relations Iraq War and reconstruction Military forces Reporting requirements Security services contracts Standards Strategic planning Executive agency oversight Program implementation Iraq Iraqi Security Forces Title 18 Section 7(9) 18 U.S.C. 7(9) Public Law 107-56 Public Law 108-375 H. Rept. 110-352