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By Walter Pincus | Sunday, August 19, 2007 | The Washington Post

The Defense Intelligence Agency is preparing to pay private contractors up to $1 billion to conduct core intelligence tasks of analysis and collection over the next five years, an amount that would set a record in the outsourcing of such functions by the Pentagon’s top spying agency. . .

The DIA did not specify exactly what it wants the contractors to do but said it is seeking teams to fulfill “operational and mission requirements” that include intelligence “Gathering and Collection, Analysis, Utilization, and Strategy and Support.” It holds out the possibility that five or more contractors may be hired and promised more details on Aug. 27. . .

“Mind-blowing,” was the reaction of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, when she learned of the DIA proposal. In a telephone interview, she described it as “definitely something to be concerned about.” …BS

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/18/AR2007081800992_pf.html