Do you use criminal background checks for contractor responsibility determinations?

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked (by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) to comment on whether criminal background investigations were used to determine contractor responsibility before contract award.

In a nutshell, the GAO said, "no" and that the FAR doesn't say to do that. Then, as part of their discussion, GAO mentioned that the only use of them in the contracting world is when allowing access to military bases or for security clearances.

Perhaps this is another of the "oversight" categories that the current session of Congress will be focusing on. The "good" news is that all the focus on the failings of contractors will mean more emphasis on government employees doing that work.

Until we all retire and go away.