Federal No-Bid Contracts On Rise

Use of Favored Firms A Common Shortcut

By Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 22, 2007; A01

Under pressure from the White House and Congress to deliver a long-delayed plan last year, officials at the Department of Homeland Security's counter-narcotics office took a shortcut that has become common at federal agencies: They hired help through a no-bid contract.

And the firm they hired showed them how to do it.