Contracting Shops Struggle with Heavier Workload Federal acquisition personnel are straining to handle Recovery Act contracts and grants on top of their regular workloads, according to a new report. In a survey of 29 agencies by the Commerce Department’s inspector general, most said they are detailing additional staff to work on acquisitions, but some contracts are being delayed and they are able to do less monitoring of contractors. Because of the emphasis on speed in pumping Recovery Act money into the economy, agencies said they are giving those contracts priority over other work. The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which monitors spending of economic stimulus money, commented, “The oversight and monitoring of awards—especially non-Recovery Act contracts and grants—are expected to decline, as many agencies attempt to implement Recovery Act requirements while carrying out their ongoing programs and operations.” The departments of Defense, HHS and Interior are the biggest spenders under the Recovery Act. Forty-one percent of officials surveyed in those agencies said their workforce was inadequate to handle the load, while another 45% said staffing was adequate, but the increased workload was causing an impact on non-Recovery Act projects. Among 26 smaller agencies surveyed, 52% said staffing was adequate but non-Recovery Act work was being affected.