New Washington Post blog on Federal Contracting: Government Inc.
Source: Washington Post blog: Government Inc.
Dear Reader,In launching this new relationship with you, Government Inc. would like to acknowledge that federal contracting may seem about as enticing as a plate of raw broccoli or a rush-hour trip around the Beltway.
Bear with us.
In time, we believe you will come to understand how amazing, strange and even infuriating it can be to watch how your tax dollars are spent. It probably won't come as a surprise that the government is spending more than ever before.
Consider a few statistics:
$412 billion, the total reported amount of federal procurement in 2006. That's more than twice the reported spending in 2000.
$145 billion, the total spending last year without full and open competition.
$31.5 billion, the 2006 revenue of Lockheed Martin, the government's No. 1 number one federal contractor. It's worth noting that the figure is more than 40 countries' gross domestic product.