"Work by unlicensed welders, multi-layered sub-contracting and poor management all contributed to the blaze, " Luo said two days after the accident.

CNN: Deadly fire highlights China's growth problem

However, Big Brother Watch says some public bodies may be sidestepping that restriction by sub-contracting the work to private security companies.

BBC: Public bodies 'spending millions to snoop'

For the moment, the Pentagon says that sub-contracting is at Lockheed's discretion.

ECONOMIST: The Pentagon