The board said the Defense Department had failed to produce requested documents on time, delaying its audits of the sole-source contracts.

They were also denied access to reports concerning what they delicately describe as "sole-source contracts."

May 1994: ITT wins a sole-source contract for the airborne radio.

The Army spent 25 percent more than it had to because it used sole-source contracts at 46 of 57 sites, the investigators concluded.

The C-27J has been considered for a sole-source contract by the Government of Canada.

The Government requires contractors who receive these so-called sole-source contracts to fully disclose the actual cost estimates to complete the job.

They also contended that not all sole-source contracts were bad.

The reset button does not create anything more than another version of a sole-source contract.

The program provides access to sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling of $3 million for goods and services and $5 million for manufacturing.

Nor does it require him to reward key supporters with lucrative sole-source contracts and positions on his investment advisory committees.