evidence: The Lessons Learned From America's Reliance On Military Contractors In Afghanistan The Lessons Learned From America's Reliance On Military Contractors In Afghanistan 2020 turned out to be a record year for government contractors. The federal government spent the most in its history on contracted goods and services. It's also the fifth year in a row that spending increased. In terms of signing those contracts, one federal department reigns supreme. In 2020, the Department of Defense awarded more money in federal contracts than all other government agencies combined. And one study found that nearly half of defense spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan went to private contractors.