Energy and Commerce Committee leaders ask GAO to examine DOE’s relationship with contractors

A group of House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders recently asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine Department of Energy (DOE) data cells, requests for information from contractors running projects for DOE.

In their letter, the leaders asked GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro to examine the process for requesting data cells, data sources, the effectiveness of the data cells and potential opportunities for improvement.

“DOE’s relationship with its contractors has been a source of concern for decades,” the committee leaders said in their letter, describing concerns that had been raised over the years. They also expressed concern that certain DOE oversight practices might impede mission performance of its contractors.

The letter was sent by full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), full committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), full committee Vice Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), full committee Vice Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL), subcommittee on Energy Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), subcommittee on Energy Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL), subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA), and subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO).