Senator asks AMS for thrift contract records

Senate Governmental Affairs chairwoman Susan M. Collins is broadening her inquiry into the contracting practices that led the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to pay $36 million for a new record-keeping system and get nothing in return.The Maine Republican has asked the original contractor, American Management Systems Inc. of Fairfax, Va., for all of its records relating to the systems project.In a letter to AMS chairman and chief executive officer Alfred Mockett, Collins requested information by Sept. 5 about staffing decisions, communications between AMS and the thrift board, project delays and AMS’ ability to complete the project. Earlier this month Collins asked the thrift board for a laundry list of documents, which are due today. Committee spokeswoman Andrea Hofelich said staff members will meet with board officials next week. “TSP has been very cooperative,” Hofelich said.The board originally hired AMS to build the record-keeping system, but after four years of fits and starts, it fired the systems integrator and sued for $350 million in damages. AMS settled the suit in June for $5 million. AMS officials said Friday that they have not yet seen the letter.