Government Outsourcing

Paper Summary:

The paper notes that the US government is one of the largest employers of the private sector and that, in an attempt to cut the federal budget, the US government continues to use an increasing number of private entities to perform tasks that were once performed by Federal Employees. The paper discusses how this practice has come under attack for many reasons. There are questions over the quality of work, security, and whether outsourcing reduces expenses in reality. This paper explores the growing practice of outsourcing goods and services that were once the job of federal employees. The paper includes graphs and tables.

Outline:
Who Uses Outsourcing?
Economics of Outsourcing
Current Situation
Legal Implications
What are the Requirements for Outsourcing Government Functions?
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Key Issues Regarding Outsourcing
Monitoring of Contractors
Would Outsourcing Shift Skill Workforce from the Public Sector to the Private Sector?
Real Impacts of Off Shoring
Problems and Solutions
What Support Does the Government Offer for the Current Trend?
Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper:

"The U.S. Defense Department uses a plethora of private contractors in a number of positions so that is can focus on its primary mission, protecting the country . The Defense Department uses private contractors for a number of functions, including infrastructure, such as electricity, telecommunications, water and sewage treatment. The use of outsourcing in the Defense Department is perhaps one of the most controversial areas of the outsourcing area. There is a concern among many that outsourcing in this area of the government may place our country at risk. However, the Defense Department claims that outsourcing non-military roles frees their personnel to remain focused on their primary task without distraction."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Raw Story. U.S. Government 'outsources its brain'. March 30, 2007. http://rawstory.com/news/2007/U.S._Government_outsourcing_its_brain_0330.html. Accessed February 26, 2008.
• Wait, P. Government outsourcing grows fastest of all sectors. Washington Technology. 2002. Vol. 16 No. 23. ttp://www.washingtontechnology.com/print/16_23/17920-1.html Accessed February 26, 20008.
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) USA. Offshore Outsourcing. March 2004. http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/positions/offshoring.html
• Rankin, C. Offshore Outsourcing - Recent U.S. Legislature Developments. Current Legal Developments. Faegre & Benson, LLP. 2008. http://www.faegre.com/articles/article_1922.aspx
• FDS-NG. Federal Procurement Report. FY 2005. Total Federal Views. pp. 18 -21

More papers on Government Outsourcing:

• Research Paper # 75626 : "E-Government in Australia"
• Essay # 90203 : "Outsourcing American Jobs "
• Analytical Essay # 129181 : "Impact of Outsourcing on India's Government"

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