The District lacks the staff, resources, organization and strict oversight to manage an efficient contracting and procurement system, the federal government’s auditor found in a damning new report.

Prepared by the Government Accountability Office at the request of U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., the audit picks apart D.C. contracting and procurements laws and policies, finding weaknesses across the government. Nearly 22 percent of the District’s fiscal year 2005 budget was spent on procurement, the GAO reported.