Contract Practices: Free-Lance Services Provided by RFE/RL Employees
NSIAD-86-16
Published: Nov 27, 1985. Publicly Released: Nov 27, 1985.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed broadcast controls at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc. (RFE/RL), a government-financed private organization which broadcasts to Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Because of questions raised about possible abuses, GAO reviewed: (1) RFE/RL reasons for contracting with its employees; (2) the extent and cost of such contracting; and (3) controls in place, or possible, to prevent abuses.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Board for International Broadcasting | The Chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting should direct the President, RFE/RL, to develop regulations that govern the awarding of free-lance contracts to employees. These regulations should require that RFE/RL: (1) department heads not contract with employees unless needs cannot be reasonably met through other means; (2) department heads initiating employee free-lance contracts certify that outside contributors and existing staff resources are unavailable; (3) senior vice president or equivalent position approve all employee free-lance contracts; and (4) institute controls to help ensure that employees perform contract work outside of normal, salaried duty hours. |
Closed – Implemented
RFE/RL initiated corrective action through directives and administrative controls.
|
| Board for International Broadcasting | The Chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting should identify in its budget submission to Congress that some of the funds may be used for RFE/RL employee free-lance contracts. |
Closed – Implemented
At the Board's direction, RFE/RL has discontinued the practice of awarding free-lance contracts to its employees.
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Federal employeesGovernment sponsored enterprisesIndependent contractorsInternal controlsIrregular procurementPrivatizationProgram managementRadio broadcastingPosition descriptionsCompensation