Spending On Iraq Sets Off Gold Rush [View All]

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&e=5&u=/washpost/20031009/ts_washpost/a496_2003oct8

As the House today takes up President Bush (news - web sites)'s $87 billion spending request for Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites), the debate over the bill is increasingly focused not just on the amount of money but also on who will get it.

Many of the services being sought -- including police training, crimes-against-humanity investigations and prison-construction expertise -- are highly specialized. Conditions are dangerous. Experts say American taxpayers can expect to pay a hefty premium to contractors in a classic seller's market.

Management fees alone would run $26 million a month, while 1,500 police trainers would cost $240,000 each per year, or $20,000 each per month. DynCorp of Reston is likely to get the contract.


"All I can say is it's mind-boggling," James Lyons, a former military subcontractor in Bosnia, said of the opportunities for private contractors. "People must be drooling."



DynCorp has begun recruiting 1,000 "police advisors" with at least 10 years of experience in law enforcement or corrections, an "unblemished background" and "excellent health." The draw? DynCorp plans to pay salaries as high as $153,600, with minimum pay of $75,076.92.

DynCorp declined to comment on the contract, referring calls to the State Department.