Federal government has too many intelligence contractors

The Obama administration and Congress now believe the practice of outsourcing core duties is, at best, undermining the federal workforce and, at worst, harming national security -- an observation also noted by the federal intelligence community.

An internal 2008 staffing review conducted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence reported that contractor employees made up 29 percent of the workforce at the 16 intelligence agencies, but the contractors cost the equivalent of 49 percent of the personnel budget.

These expensive contractors perform support functions like human resources and information technology, but have also been hired to perform crucial mission functions like interrogate prisoners, collect intelligence, and analyze data.

In response to the staffing review, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence passed a 2010 intelligence authorization bill earlier this month that would force agencies to reduce their use of contractors by 5 percent.

"Insourcing Government Intelligence", Oh My Gov! 7/29/09.