Probe to examine two years worth of DARPA contracts

[Playinghardball]

Source: Raw Story

A published report this week confirmed that the Pentagon is launching a probe that will look at the last two years worth of contracts handed out by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or wasteful spending.

The decision was made, a report in Wired claims, after reporters learned that the agency had awarded numerous contracts to a company run by relatives of DARPA director Regina Dugan.

Dungan reportedly owns millions in RedXDefense stock, and the company owes her roughly a quarter of a million dollars from a loan. DARPA has subsequently given RedXDefense $1.7 million in various contracts, but they've disavowed Dungan's involvement in any of those decisions.

The probe will also attempt to "determine the adequacy of Darpa’s selection, award, and administration of contracts and grants," a letter from the Pentagon's Inspector General explained.

The agency has an annual budget of roughly $3 billion.



Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/08/16/probe-to-examine-two-years-worth-of-darpa-contracts/

[Plucketeer]

1. Another Military - Industrial spigot

that the average voting American has absolutely NO knowledge of or say in. 3Bil spent on a "trust us" assurance. I'm likin' Ron Paul more and more.

[jberryhill]

5. Incidentally, the internet was a DARPA project

As is a lot of solar energy research.

[Plucketeer]

6. Yup,

and ALOT of other projects, we'd gasp at. Both the concepts AND the cost. ;)

[bemildred]

7. DARPA is like the only thing the Pentagon does that is useful.

Even there, it's hit or miss.

[jberryhill]

8. Basic research is always "hit or miss"

Thomas Edison - "Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work."

[bemildred]

2. Right, cut DARPA, but try stay all over the Middle East.

That will work out great.

[Overseas]

3. K&R.

Not sure about the Pentagon researching itself, but glad for any extra scrutiny.

[toddwv]

4. This will turn out EXACTLY like other Pentagon self-probes:

Inconsistencies, irregularities, fraud, waste and abuse BUT not significant to warrant a full investigation. All associated parties will get a bonus for their participation with the probe.