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• Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA): Origin, Characteristics, and Institutional Authorities [April 29, 2004]

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  "Responsibility for overseeing reconstruction in post-conflict Iraq initially fell to the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). Established in early 2003, ORHA was headed by Lieutenant General Jay M. Garner, U.S. Army (ret.). By June 2003, ORHA had been replaced, or subsumed, by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), which is led by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III. S. 2127, the Stabilization and Reconstruction Civilian Management Act of 2004, is pending in the 108th Congress. If enacted, it would establish an Office of International Stabilization and Reconstruction within the Department of State, which would be responsible for, among other things, monitoring unstable situations around the world, planning for reconstruction crises, and coordinating with relevant executive agencies to develop interagency contingency plans. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2004-04-29
• Hurricane Katrina Recovery: Contracting Opportunities [September 26, 2005]

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  "Companies unfamiliar with the federal procurement process may find useful information at several government websites, including those of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Usually, agency solicitations for goods and services valued at amounts over $25,000 may be found on the governments Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) posted several hurricane recovery related solicitations on FedBizOpps following Hurricane Katrina, some agencies may be posting solicitations, and offering other types of access to contracting opportunities, on their individual websites. Monitoring several federal government websites, instead of just FedBizOpps, may be an effective way to track contracting opportunities related to Hurricane Katrina recovery and reconstruction efforts. Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and as codified in 42 U.S.C. 5150, preference is to be given, in the expenditure of federal funds for major disaster or emergency assistance activities, to private organizations, companies, and individuals residing or doing business primarily in the affected area. However, this provision does not guarantee that these groups and individuals will be awarded any contracts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2005-09-26
• Hurricane Katrina Recovery: Contracts Awarded by the Federal Government [November 4, 2005]

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  "Information about contracts and other types of government procurements made in support of hurricane recovery efforts may be obtained online from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command websites. The government-wide database, FPDS, provides the most comprehensive and detailed information, but the other three websites include contracts not currently listed in FPDS. Available information about government procurements includes, among other things, the type of award (for example, a contract or a delivery order), the type of contract, and the extent of competition."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2005-11-04
• Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA): Origin, Characteristics, and Institutional Authorities [Updated June 6, 2005]

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  "Responsibility for overseeing reconstruction in post-conflict Iraq initially fell to the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). Established in early 2003, ORHA was headed by Lieutenant General Jay M. Garner, U.S. Army (ret.). By June 2003, ORHA had been replaced, or subsumed, by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), which was led by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III. On June 28, 2004, CPA ceased operations. Whether CPA was a federal agency is unclear. Competing, though not necessarily mutually exclusive, explanations for how it was established contribute to the uncertainty about its status. Some executive branch documents supported the notion that it was created by the President, possibly as the result of a National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD). (This document, if it exists, has not been made available to the public.) Another possibility is that the authority was created by, or pursuant to, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003). Finally, two years after CPA was established, a Justice Department brief (see below) asserted that the then-Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had created CPA. However, considering that the revelation of his role in CPA followed other, somewhat vague and sometimes contradictory explanations or comments about CPA's origin during its 13-month tenure, some might suggest that either of the other two alternatives possibly could still be a valid explanation for the origin of CPA."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2005-06-06
• Location of Federal Government Offices [Updated January 28, 2003]

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  From the Document: "A legislative requirement for the offices of the U.S. government to be located in the District of Columbia dates to 1790. The applicable provisions have been codified in 4 U.S.C. 71 and 72. Although no definition of 'offices' is provided in Title 4, it appears that, at a minimum, the main offices of executive departments are required to be located in DC proper unless a statutory waiver is granted. The headquarters of the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency are located in Virginia, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in Maryland. All these agencies received statutory exemptions from the location requirement. The U.S. Naval Security Station, which is located at Nebraska and Massachusetts avenues in northwest Washington, DC, and is also known as the Nebraska Avenue complex, is the initial home for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2003-01-28
• Congressional Responses to Selected Work Stoppages in Professional Sports [August 11, 2011]

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  "Prior to the 2011 National Football League (NFL) lockout, developments in professional football's labor-management relations had prompted questions regarding how, when, and in what manner a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) might be drafted. Interest in this matter included, on the part of some observers, questions about how Congress responded to previous work stoppages in professional sports. In attempting to address this particular question, this report examines congressional responses to the 1982 and 1987 work stoppages in the NFL. With the conclusion of the 2011 NFL lockout in July, this work stoppage is also included. Additionally, this report examines the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, which is useful considering the extent of congressional activity surrounding this strike. Compared to the 1994 baseball strike, the 1982 and 1987 football strikes and the 2011 lockout did not garner much attention from Congress in terms of legislative measures and hearings. Three legislative measures were introduced in response to the 1982 strike; one each was introduced in response to the 1987 strike and the 2011 lockout. Members introduced or offered 22 legislative measures and held five hearings that were related to the baseball strike. […] Disagreeing that congressional intervention was warranted, other Members offered several reasons why Congress ought not to intervene. For example, one Member suggested that repealing baseball's antitrust exemption would alter the balance of power in professional baseball. Other Members believed that more pressing matters deserved Congress's attention. At least one Member suggested that a particular bill, if enacted, would have the effect of favoring the players over the owners."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine; Murray, Justin; Shimabukuro, Jon O.

  2011-08-11
• Presidential Travel: Policy and Costs [May 17, 2012]

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  "For security and other reasons, the President, Vice President, and First Lady use military aircraft when they travel. The White House generally categorizes the trips as fulfilling either official or political functions. Often, a trip involves both official and political, or unofficial, activities. When a trip is for an official function, the government pays all costs, including per diem (food and lodging), car rentals, and other incidental expenses. When a trip is for political or unofficial purposes, those involved must pay for their own food and lodging and other related expenses, and they must also reimburse the government with the equivalent of the airfare that they would have paid had they used a commercial airline. When a trip involves both official and political activities, a formula determines the amount to be reimbursed for that part of the trip involving political activities. Whether a trip is for official or political purposes, the Air Force pays all operational and other costs incurred by the use of the aircraft. While the travel policies of specific Administrations concerning the reimbursement of expenses for unofficial travel generally are not publicly available, it appears that policy guidelines developed by the Reagan White House have served as a basis for the travel policies of subsequent Administrations. This report will be updated as new information becomes available."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2012-05-17
• Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources [September 11, 2012]

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  "In the basic federal procurement process, acquisition personnel, after determining their agency's requirements (that is, the goods and services the agency needs), post a solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Interested companies prepare their offers in response to the solicitation, and, in accordance with applicable provisions of the 'Federal Acquisition Regulation' (FAR), agency personnel evaluate the offers. Another type of procurement opportunity for a company is to serve as a subcontractor for a government contractor. To be eligible to compete for government contracts, a company must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and register with the federal government's System for Award Management (SAM). Several agencies, such as the General Services Administration (GSA), provide assistance and services to existing and potential government contractors. Research and development (R&D) procurement opportunities may involve traditional contracting methods, such as solicitations and contracts, as well as nontraditional methods, which include agency-sponsored contests and venture capital funds."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2012-09-11
• Congressional Responses to Selected Work Stoppages in Professional Sports [September 17, 2012]

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  "Prior to the 2011 National Football League (NFL) lockout, developments in professional football's labor-management relations had prompted questions regarding how, when, and in what manner a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) might be drafted. Interest in this matter included, on the part of some observers, questions about how Congress responded to previous work stoppages in professional sports. In attempting to address this particular question, this report examines congressional responses to the 1982 and 1987 work stoppages in the NFL. With the conclusion of the 2011 NFL lockout in July, this work stoppage is also included. Additionally, this report examines the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, which is useful considering the extent of congressional activity surrounding this strike."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine; Murray, Justin; Shimabukuro, Jon O.

  2012-09-17
• Performance of Inherently Governmental and Critical Functions: The Obama Administration's Final Policy Letter [October 5, 2011]

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  "On September 12, 2011, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued its final policy letter on Performance of Inherently Governmental and Critical Functions. The policy letter is to guide executive branch agencies in (1) identifying inherently governmental and critical functions; (2) ensuring that only federal employees perform inherently governmental functions or work that 'otherwise needs to be reserved to the public sector;' and (3) managing functions that are closely associated with inherently governmental functions and critical functions. The policy letter defines an 'inherently governmental function,' in accordance with the Federal Activities Inventory Reform (FAIR) Act (P.L. 105-270), as 'one that is so intimately related to the public interest as to require performance by Federal Government employees.' […] In support of this policy, the letter directs agencies to (1) ensure that work which should be performed by federal employees is properly reserved for government performance; (2) take steps to employ and train an adequate number of government personnel to administer contracts when work is contracted out; and (3) as part of strategic human capital planning, dedicate a sufficient amount of work to performance by federal employees in order to build competencies, provide for continuity of operations, and retain institutional knowledge of operations. The policy letter establishes two tests for identifying inherently governmental functions, the 'nature of the function' test and the 'exercise of discretion' test, as well as lists examples of inherently governmental functions. These include certain security functions, but not routine building security. The policy letter also directs that, when agencies review outsourced work for potential insourcing, they should place a lower priority on reviewing certain work performed by small businesses, as well as give small businesses preference when determining who performs work that will remain in the private sector after related functions are insourced."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manuel, Kate; Halchin, L. Elaine; Lunder, Erika

  2011-10-05
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): Answers to Frequently Asked Questions [November 16, 2012]

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  "The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, and executive branch agencies--particularly the Department of Defense--make most of these purchases. Many (although not all) acquisitions by executive branch agencies are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which can make the FAR a topic of interest to Members and committees of Congress and their staff. In particular, Members, committees, and staff may find themselves (1) considering or drafting legislation that would amend the FAR to save money, promote transparency, or further other public policies; (2) conducting oversight of executive agencies' performance in procuring goods and services; and (3) responding to questions from constituents regarding executive branch procurement activities. In addition, certain commentators have recently suggested that some or all FAR provisions should be withdrawn."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manuel, Kate; Halchin, L. Elaine; Lunder, Erika

  2012-11-16
• Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives [May 14, 2012]

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  "Interest in congressional oversight of intelligence has risen again in recent Congresses, in part because of disputes over reporting to Congress by intelligence community (IC) components on sensitive matters, including developments generated by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The changes in the oversight structure adopted or proposed in recent Congresses, however, also reflect earlier concerns, such as increasing independent auditing authority for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the intelligence community, adding offices of inspectors general (OIGs), clarifying reporting requirements to Congress, and restructuring Congress's oversight mechanisms. Along these lines, the House Democratic majority had pledged in the 110th Congress to enact the remaining recommendations from the U.S. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, commonly known as the 9/11 Commission. The Commission's unanimous 2004 report set the stage for a reconsideration of congressional oversight, concluding that it was 'dysfunctional.' The commission proposed two distinct solutions: (1) creation of a joint committee on intelligence, modeled after the defunct Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, with authority to report legislation to each chamber; or (2) enhanced status and power for the existing select committees on intelligence, by making them standing committees and granting each one both authorization and appropriations power. Neither of these occurred, although Congress has made a number of changes in its structure, organization, and authority to oversee this area. Despite these changes, several reports released during the 112th Congress by outside groups--the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Security Preparedness Group, Commission on Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Council on Foreign Relations--still concluded that oversight of intelligence remained 'dysfunctional' and 'counterproductive.' [...] This report, to be updated as events dictate, describes the current select committees on intelligence; characteristics and a model for a possible joint committee; recent actions by Congress; and obstacles affecting legislative oversight in the field."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine; Kaiser, Frederick M.

  2012-05-14
• Government Transparency: An Examination of Meaning and Its Use in the Executive Branch [November 14, 2012]

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  "The Obama Administration has undertaken its own transparency initiative, known as the Open Government Initiative, to make executive branch agencies more transparent, publicly accessible, and collaborative than they have historically been. Watchdog organizations have offered mixed reviews of the initiative's ability to promote and institute government transparency. Transparency may be defined as the disclosure of government information and its use by the public. Transparency, under this definition, requires a public that can access, understand, and use the information it receives from the federal government. This report first assesses the meaning of transparency and discusses its scholarly and practical definitions. It also provides an analysis of the concept of transparency, with a focus on federal government transparency in the executive branch. This report subsequently examines the statutes, initiatives, requirements, and other actions that make information more available to the public or protect it from public release. It also examines transparency and secrecy from the standpoint of how the public accesses government information, and whether the release of government data and information may make operation of the federal government more or, counter-intuitively, less transparent. Finally, this report analyzes whether existing transparency initiatives are effective in reaching their stated goals."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ginsberg, Wendy R.; Carey, Maeve P.; Halchin, L. Elaine . . .

  2012-11-14
• Government Transparency and Secrecy: An Examination of Meaning and Its Use in the Executive Branch [November 8, 2012]

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  "This report examines statutes, initiatives, and other items that seek to make information more available to the public as well as those that seek to protect certain information from release to the public. This report examines transparency and secrecy from the standpoint of how the public historically has and can currently access government information. It also explores the statutes and policies in place to ensure the protection of certain information from public release. The report then describes existing powers, authorities, and initiatives that promote transparency or protect federal records from public release. Finally, this report analyzes whether existing transparency initiatives are effective in reaching their stated goals."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ginsberg, Wendy R.; Carey, Maeve P.; Halchin, L. Elaine

  2012-11-08
• Congressional Oversight [October 17, 2012]

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  "Congressional oversight of policy implementation and administration has occurred throughout the history of the United States government under the Constitution. Oversight--the review, monitoring, and supervision of operations and activities--takes a variety of forms and utilizes various techniques. These range from specialized investigations by select committees to annual appropriations hearings, and from informal communications between Members or congressional staff and executive personnel to the use of extra-congressional mechanisms, such as offices of inspector general and study commissions. Oversight, moreover, is supported by a variety of authorities--the Constitution, public law, and chamber and committee rules--and is an integral part of the system of checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches. This report will be updated as events require."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kaiser, Frederick M.; Halchin, L. Elaine

  2012-10-17
• Environmental Considerations in Federal Procurement: An Overview of the Legal Authorities and Their Implementation [January 7, 2013]

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  "Coupled with increasing concerns about the environment, the magnitude of federal spending on contracts has prompted numerous questions from Members of Congress and the public about the role of environmental considerations in federal procurement. These include: to what extent do agencies consider environmental factors when procuring goods or services? What legal authorities presently require or allow agencies to take environmental factors into account when acquiring goods or services? How are existing provisions authorizing agencies to consider environmental factors implemented? This report provides an overview, answering these and related questions. It does not address green building initiatives, energy-savings performance contracts, policy documents, agency-specific laws, or environmental laws of general applicability that effectively shape the products available for purchase."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manuel, Kate; Halchin, L. Elaine

  2013-01-07
• Sourcing Policy: Selected Developments and Issues [February 7, 2012]

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  "Dating back to the 1950s, federal sourcing policy generally has focused on the premise that the government should rely on the private sector for the provision of certain goods and services. Additionally, it has centered around guidance for conducting public-private competitions to determine whether federal employees, or contractor employees, should be selected to perform certain agency functions. The Administration of President George W. Bush, in particular, emphasized subjecting eligible agency functions to public-private competitions. Branding this policy, and related guidance, as competitive sourcing, the Bush Administration included it as one component of the President's Management Agenda. During the Administration of President Barack Obama, another strain, or facet, of sourcing policy surfaced. Labeled multi-sector workforce management by the Administration, it posits that federal agencies might be susceptible to overreliance on contractors, which could affect the ability of agencies to maintain control over their missions and operations. OMB's [Office of Management and Budget] July 2009 memorandum provides guidance to agencies on how to manage their multi-sector workforces. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy's Policy Letter 11-01--by providing a single, consistent definition of inherently governmental and guidance for identifying and managing inherently governmental functions, functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions, and critical functions--complements the Administration's multi-sector workforce management policy. This letter was issued in September 2011.[…]This report provides an overview of the evolution of federal sourcing policy to date and identifies the major policy issues before Congress. It is not a legislation tracking report. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2012-02-07
• Other Transaction (OT) Authority [July 15, 2011]

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  "An other transaction (OT) is a special vehicle used by federal agencies for obtaining or advancing research and development (R&D) or prototypes. An OT is not a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, and there is no statutory or regulatory definition of 'other transaction.' Only those agencies that have been provided OT authority may engage in other transactions. OT authority originated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) when the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 was enacted. Subsequently, seven other specific agencies have been given OT authority: the Department of Defense (DOD), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Energy. Other federal agencies may use OT authority under certain circumstances and if authorized by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Generally, the reason for creating OT authority is that the government needs to obtain leadingedge R&D (and prototypes) from commercial sources, but some companies (and other entities) are unwilling or unable to comply with the government's procurement regulations. The government's procurement regulations and certain procurement statutes do not apply to OTs, and, accordingly, other transaction authority gives agencies the flexibility necessary to develop agreements tailored to a particular transaction. […] Evidence of congressional interest in the use of other transaction authority includes the expansion of OT authority over the years (as noted above), and a 2008 congressional hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's use of OT authority. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2011-07-15
• Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources [November 20, 2006]

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  "In the basic federal procurement process, acquisition personnel, after determining their agency's requirements (that is, the goods and services the agency needs), post a solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Interested companies prepare their offers in response to the solicitation, and, in accordance with applicable provisions of the 'Federal Acquisition Regulation' (FAR), agency personnel evaluate the offers. Another type of procurement opportunity for a company is to serve as a subcontractor for a government contractor. To be eligible to compete for government contracts, a company must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), and complete an Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Several agencies, such as the General Services Administration (GSA), provide assistance and services to existing and potential government contractors. Research and development (R&D) procurement opportunities may involve traditional contracting methods, such as solicitations and contracts, as well as nontraditional methods, which include agency-sponsored contests and venture capital funds."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2006-11-20
• Federal Emergency Management Policy Changes After Hurricane Katrina: A Summary of Statutory Provisions [November 15, 2006]

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  "Reports issued by committees of the 109th Congress, the White House, federal offices of Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), among others, concluded that the losses caused by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters were due, in part, to deficiencies such as questionable leadership decisions and capabilities, organizational failures, overwhelmed preparation and communication systems, and inadequate statutory authorities. From these conclusions the 109th Congress revised federal emergency management policies vested in the President; reorganized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and enhanced and clarified the mission, functions, and authorities of the agency, as well as those of its parent, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Six statutes enacted by the 109th Congress are notable in that they contain changes that apply to future federal emergency management actions. Most of these statutes contain relatively few changes to federal authorities related to emergencies and disasters. The Post-Katrina Act, however, contains many changes that will have long-term consequences for FEMA and other federal entities. That statute reorganizes FEMA, expands its statutory authority, and imposes new conditions and requirements on the operations of the agency. In addition to the public laws noted above, Congress enacted supplemental appropriations, one-time waivers of requirements, and temporary extensions solely associated with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. This report does not address such measures as they do not carry long-term implications for federal emergency management."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith; Hogue, Henry B.; Halchin, L. Elaine

  2006-11-15
• Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA): Origin, Characteristics, and Institutional Authorities [September 21, 2006]

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  "Responsibility for overseeing reconstruction in post-conflict Iraq initially fell to the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). Established in early 2003, ORHA was headed by Lieutenant General Jay M. Garner, U.S. Army (ret.). By June 2003, ORHA had been replaced, or subsumed, by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), which was led by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III. On June 28, 2004, CPA ceased operations. Whether CPA was a federal agency is unclear. Competing, though not necessarily mutually exclusive, explanations for how it was established contribute to the uncertainty about its status. Some executive branch documents supported the notion that it was created by the President, possibly as the result of a National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD). (This document, if it exists, has not been made available to the public.) Another possibility is that the authority was created by, or pursuant to, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003). Finally, two years after CPA was established, a Justice Department brief asserted that the then-Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had created CPA. […] Subsequent to the dissolution of CPA, the question of its status arose in a lawsuit filed against Custer Battles, LLC (CB), a company that performed work for CPA. Two former employees of CB alleged in a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act (FCA) that the company had defrauded the federal government. (The case is 'United States ex rel. DRC Inc. v. Custer Battles, LLC' (E. Va., No. CV-04-199-A).) Justice Department attorneys concluded that CPA was an instrumentality of the U.S. government for the purposes of the FCA, but the presiding judge determined, in his August 2006 opinion, that CPA was not an instrumentality. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2006-09-21
• Federal Emergency Management Policy Changes After Hurricane Katrina: A Summary of Statutory Provisions [December 15, 2006]

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  "Reports issued by committees of the 109th Congress, the White House, federal offices of Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), among others, concluded that the losses caused by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters were due, in part, to deficiencies such as questionable leadership decisions and capabilities, organizational failures, overwhelmed preparation and communication systems, and inadequate statutory authorities. From these conclusions the 109th Congress revised federal emergency management policies vested in the President; reorganized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and enhanced and clarified the mission, functions, and authorities of the agency, as well as those of its parent, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith; Hogue, Henry B.; Halchin, L. Elaine

  2006-12-15
• 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics: Security and Human Rights Issues [January 26, 2014]

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  "Since the 2007 selection of Sochi as the site of Olympic Games, many observers, including some in Congress, have raised concerns about security and human rights conditions in Sochi and elsewhere in Russia. Sochi is in Russia's North Caucasus area, which has experienced ongoing terrorist incidents, including several bombings in recent weeks. Through hearings, legislation, oversight, and other action, some Members of Congress have expressed concerns over Russia's hosting of the Sochi Olympic Games and Paralympics, particularly the risks that terrorism and human rights violations might pose to U.S. athletes and visitors. Other broader congressional concerns have included whether the United States should participate in the Games in the face of increasing tensions in U.S.-Russia relations and the Russian government's growing restrictions on the civil and human rights of its citizens. Some Members of Congress have called for boycotting the Games. Others have cautioned that U.S. citizens should carefully weigh the security risks of attending, and have urged greater U.S.-Russia counter-terrorism cooperation to ameliorate threats to the Games. In the period during and after the Games, Congress may continue to exercise oversight and otherwise raise concerns about the safety and human rights treatment of U.S. athletes and visitors and the impact of the Games and other developments in Russia on the future of U.S.-Russia relations. On January 24, 2014, a senior Administration official stressed that the full resources of the U.S. government were being readied to support U.S. athletes, the official delegations, and other citizens attending the Games."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.; Halchin, L. Elaine; Rollins, John . . .

  2014-01-26
• Intelligence Community and Its Use of Contractors: Congressional Oversight Issues [August 18, 2015]

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  "Contractors have been and are an integral part of the intelligence community's (IC's) total workforce (which also includes federal employees and military personnel). Yet questions have been raised regarding how they are used, and the size and cost of the contractor component. Of particular interest are core contract personnel, who provide direct technical, managerial, and administrative support to agency staff. Examples of these types of support are collection and operations, analysis and production, and enterprise information and technology. The use of core contract personnel enables the IC to meet its needs, which may involve obtaining unique expertise or surge support for a particular mission, or augmenting insufficient in-house resources."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2015-08-18
• 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues [August 8, 2016]

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  "The 2016 Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5-21, 2016, and will be followed by the Paralympic Games, September 7-18, 2016. Notably, these are the first games to be hosted by a South American city. Reportedly, 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will participate in the Olympics, including 555 athletes from the United States. Most Olympic events will take place in and around Rio de Janeiro. In addition to Rio de Janeiro, soccer matches will be held in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Manaus, São Paulo, and Salvador. Host countries and cities often have to deal with a variety of questions or issues, which is also true for Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. The list of issues or potential problems that might have implications for athletes, team personnel, and spectators participating in or attending the 2016 Rio Games includes the Zika virus, public safety threats, security concerns, and environmental conditions. It also bears noting that the act of hosting the Olympics may have implications for Brazil. Finally, doping is of particular concern this year because of revelations regarding a state-orchestrated doping scheme perpetrated by Russian authorities and sports organizations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine; Rollins, John

  2016-08-08
• 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues [July 28, 2016]

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  From the document overview: "Over the years, host countries and cities have had to deal with a variety of concerns, problems, or criticisms, and Rio de Janeiro is no exception. Separately or collectively, a variety of issues might pose risks to the health, safety, and general well-being of athletes and their families, team personnel, and spectators participating in or attending the 2016 Games. Chief among these are the Zika virus, public safety threats, security concerns, and environmental conditions. This report also discusses the possible implications of hosting the Olympics for Brazil and the issue of doping."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine; Rollins, John

  2016-07-28
• 2016 Rio Game: Anti-Doping Testing [August 3, 2016]

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  "Responsibility for the anti-doping testing program during the 2016 Summer Olympics rests with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The testing period began July 24, 2016, when the Olympic village opened, and continues through August 21, 2016, the date of the closing ceremony. […] A positive test means the 'presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers [has been found] in an athlete's sample.' This type of ADRV is an adverse analytical finding. A non-analytical ADRV may involve an athlete, or an athlete support person, who has committed another type of World Anti-Doping Code rule violation. Athlete support personnel include coaches, trainers, managers, agents, team staff, officials, medical personnel, paramedical personnel, parents and any other persons 'working with, treating or assisting an athlete participating in or preparing for sports competition.' Non-analytical ADRVs include tampering, or attempting to tamper, with doping control; possessing a prohibited substance or a prohibited method; and trafficking, or attempting to traffic, in prohibited substances or prohibited methods."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2016-08-03
• Presidential Transitions: Issues Involving Outgoing and Incoming Administrations

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  This report pertains to the transition process involved in acclimating a new presidential administration to its responsibilities in the executive branch. The transfer of these responsibilities may often involve Congress depending on the circumstance (i.e. the Senate's jurisdiction in approving certain appointed positions). Additionally, this report summarizes the "formal mechanisms" in place that facilitate a smooth transition from one presidential administration to the next.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2016-09-29
• Transforming Government Acquisition Systems: Overview and Selected Issues [June 20, 2013]

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  "Increasingly, the federal government uses technology to facilitate and support the federal acquisition process. Primary beneficiaries of this shift to online systems (websites and databases) are the government's acquisition workforce and prospective and incumbent government contractors. The suite of web-based systems supports contracting officers' efforts to ensure the government contracts only with responsible parties, is essential to the dissemination of information regarding contracting opportunities, and facilitates interagency contracting. From the contractor perspective, the government's online systems streamline the processes involved in fulfilling various administrative requirements, provide access to possible contracting opportunities, and are potential resources for market research. Congressional interest in the government's online procurement systems, and, relatedly, the federal acquisition process, flows from the institution's responsibilities involving government spending and oversight of executive branch operations. Congress monitors how well the federal acquisition process works, which includes several web-based systems, and also uses data and information available from some of the systems as resources for its oversight activities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Halchin, L. Elaine

  2013-06-20
• Congressional Oversight Manual [December 19, 2014]

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  "The Congressional Research Service (CRS) developed the 'Congressional Oversight Manual' over 30 years ago, following a three-day December 1978 Workshop on Congressional Oversight and Investigations. The workshop was organized by a group of House and Senate committee aides from both parties and CRS at the request of the bipartisan House leadership. The 'Manual' was produced by CRS with the assistance of a number of House committee staffers. In subsequent years, CRS has sponsored and conducted various oversight seminars for House and Senate staff and updated the 'Manual' as circumstances warranted. […] Over the years, CRS has assisted many Members, committees, party leaders, and staff aides in the performance of the oversight function: the review, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation of public policy. Understandably, given the size, reach, cost, and continuing growth of the modern executive establishment, Congress's oversight role is even more significant--and more demanding--than when Woodrow Wilson wrote in his classic 'Congressional Government' (1885): 'Quite as important as lawmaking is vigilant oversight of administration.' Today's lawmakers and congressional aides, as well as commentators and scholars, recognize that Congress's work, ideally, should not end when it passes legislation. Oversight is an integral way to make sure that the laws work and are being administered in an effective, efficient, and economical manner. In light of this destination, oversight can be viewed as one of Congress's principal responsibilities as it grapples with the complexities of the 21st century."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dolan, Alissa M.; Halchin, L. Elaine; Garvey, Todd . . .

  2014-12-19