A Snapshot of Government-wide Contracting for FY 2021 (Interactive Dashboard)
Note: This blog post was updated to clarify that the decrease in spending of $54 billion was adjusted for inflation.
In Fiscal Year 2021, the federal government spent about $637 billion on contracts, a decrease of $54 billion from FY 2020 after adjusting for inflation.
However, FY 2021 COVID-19-related spending increased from $35 billion to $52 billion, with drugs and biologicals comprising the top products purchased by both defense and civilian agencies.
While the federal workforce performs a wide range of duties, federal agencies also enter into contracts with outside companies and organizations to provide products and services ranging from aircraft and software to food service and health care.
Our new interactive dashboard details how the federal government spends contracting dollars, including: which agencies obligated the most funds on contracts, what they bought, and whether the contracts were competed.
Access the complete dashboard here, or by clicking on the below image.
Comments on GAO’s WatchBlog? Contact blog@gao.gov.
GAO Contacts
GAO's mission is to provide Congress with fact-based, nonpartisan information that can help improve federal government performance and ensure accountability for the benefit of the American people. GAO launched its WatchBlog in January, 2014, as part of its continuing effort to reach its audiences—Congress and the American people—where they are currently looking for information.
The blog format allows GAO to provide a little more context about its work than it can offer on its other social media platforms. Posts will tie GAO work to current events and the news; show how GAO’s work is affecting agencies or legislation; highlight reports, testimonies, and issue areas where GAO does work; and provide information about GAO itself, among other things.
Please send any feedback on GAO's WatchBlog to blog@gao.gov.