EXCLUSIVE — Incoming Trump administration officials and GOP lawmakers are contacting conservative nonprofit groups to facilitate research for the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, illustrating the wide scope of the new cost-cutting effort, according to 10 people familiar with the discussions.

Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, conservative groups are informally providing guidance to incoming officials at the White House’s budget office and members of Congress on spending areas they view as left-leaning and wasteful. The groups are not being paid for this work, viewing it as in alignment with their missions as charities registered with the IRS.