How to Improve Installation Support Services
Abstract
Each year, DoD contracts for more than $11 billion in services. many of these services are installation support services ranging from groundskeeping to complex aircraft maintenance. These services directly affect the lives and performance of the people who live and work at military installations. Making sure they are high quality is an important and difficult contracting responsibility. We believe the Military Departments can improve contracted services by taking into account past performance and providing incentives for quality. To help achieve this goal, we recommended that the Military Departments make greater use of negotiation (ie., competitive proposals) rather than relying on traditional sealed-bid contracts, which must be awarded solely on the basis of price and price-related factors. Despite common perceptions, negotiated contracting need not be complex for either the Government or the prospective contractors. We recommend that in their solicitation and evaluation of offers, the Military Departments develop simplified procedures that include appropriate assessment of past and proposed quality assurance measures. As an incentive for quality, we propose that the Military Departments expand of award fees. Modest monetary awards can have an immediate and positive impact on contractor performance. Awards would be based upon the quality of service rendered, as judged by the contracting officer's technical representative, subject to review by an award determination board whose decisions (would not be subject to appeal. Keywords: Base support, Service contracts, Negotiated contracts, Quality services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211401
Entities
People
- David Sandalow
- Douglas Ault
- Richard Danzig
Organizations
- LMI