Defense Agency Proposes Outsourcing More Spying
19 August Washington Post - Defense Agency Proposes Outsourcing More Spying by Walter Pincus.
Quote:
The Defense Intelligence Agency is preparing to pay private contractors up to $1 billion to conduct core intelligence tasks of analysis and collection over the next five years, an amount that would set a record in the outsourcing of such functions by the Pentagon's top spying agency.
The proposed contracts, outlined in a recent early notice of the DIA's plans, reflect a continuing expansion of the Defense Department's intelligence-related work and fit a well-established pattern of Bush administration transfers of government work to private contractors...
The DIA did not specify exactly what it wants the contractors to do but said it is seeking teams to fulfill "operational and mission requirements" that include intelligence "Gathering and Collection, Analysis, Utilization, and Strategy and Support." It holds out the possibility that five or more contractors may be hired and promised more details on Aug. 27...
When You Can't Recruit 'Em...Hire 'Em
Nothing too surprising here since the armed forces can't recruit and retain enough intelligence personnel, DIA does the smart thing and asks for more money in hiring those who exit the services plus try to hire those straight out of college who are not interested in military service. I've spent a lot of time around DIA analysts, and the various lot of CIA, NSA, and FBI types. The one thing that makes DIA appealing is the amount of money they're willing to pay versus the other agencies. This doesn't always equate to more quality but it does mean more appeal for those who are looking at either NSA or CIA. I've seen a number of young, smart, and talented people leave NSA and CIA for the money offered at DIA. It comes down to putting food on the table and supporting your family, especially if you live in the Beltway area.