Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) implementation of prohibitions on post-government-employment activities by DOD personnel, focusing on: (1) the extent to which the law limited the employment of former DOD personnel by defense contractors; and (2) whether contractors were appropriately reporting employment of former DOD personnel.

GAO found that: (1) DOD and defense contractors set up procedures to comply with the law; (2) the law prevented few DOD personnel from obtaining post-DOD employment with defense contractors; (3) DOD may have improperly allowed some employees to accept contractor employment because it misinterpreted the restrictions, but it subsequently issued clarifying instructions; and (4) contractors did not report all of their employment.

Status Legend:

Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

• In Process
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Recommendations for Executive Action

Recommendation: The Secretary of Defense should further clarify and define the term indirect compensation to ensure uniform reporting by defense contractors of former DOD personnel who work for consulting firms.

Agency Affected: Department of Defense

Status: Closed - Implemented

Comments: DOD sent a fact sheet to the contractor that, among other clarifications, explained indirect compensation.