Why not? It's all secret. The only thing they disclose to the public is material that makes them look good and lulls the public into believing the government practices restraint with its snooping tools.
Personally, I think the entire charade is a big fat waste of money. The governmet will snoop to the extent that technology admits, with the only time a court being involved is when the government intends to prosecute a criminal case. Black letter law says no warrant required UNLESS the snooping is for criminal prosecution. If you don't know they are snooping, is it a violation?
If you are talking about the CIA for instance they started using contractors years ago.You gotta wonder how many others do the same. Hey it wasn't us it was that guy over there.Of course they hired that guy over there,paid him cash so there is no record. How did Seth Rich get killed, DNC used a contractor.