Third, analysts perform a policy research and oversight function. ''ASPE spends approximately $20 million a year in both policy research and evaluation funds" to carry out this core function3' It is important to emphasize that DHHS, like many other government agencies, contracts out a considerable amount of policy- relevant research, therefore analysts at ASPE are both consumers and producers of policy research and analysis. ASPE analysts also participate in reviews of the research plans of other agencies, help formulate and justify plans for allocating evaluation funds, and serve on agency panels that award research contracts and grants