Implement new procurement and contracting processes and standards
Procurement can be more than purchasing. It can be used as a tool to spur local economic development or to promote equity through social service contracts.
ASSESSMENT
Some questions to guide your thinking
- What issues are you interested in addressing through procurement?
- Which departments are best suited to pilot changes in procurement policy?
Reading
Adopting active contract management
Government Performance Lab (Harvard Kennedy School) 30 minutes
When government services are privatized, cities are pushed to focus narrowly on payment processing and contract enforcement. This policy brief argues that government’s work comes during the course of the contract when real-time improvement to service delivery can drive better outcomes.
- On its own, local government does not purposefully attempt to improve service provision.
- Local governments often fail to collect and use data to improve delivery of contracted services.
- Local government usually fails to collaborate effectively with providers to improve outcomes.
Reading
Embrace Outcomes-Driven Contracting for Social Services
Government Performance Lab (Harvard Kennedy School) 30 minutes
This case study discusses how Harvard’s Government Performance Lab provided technical assistance to help Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services strategically manage $270 million in contracted services and improve outcomes for vulnerable Chicagoans.
- Leaders centralized the RFP process and linked spending to outcomes.
Reading
Adopting active contract management
When government services are privatized, cities are pushed to focus narrowly on …
Reading
Embrace Outcomes-Driven Contracting for Social Services
This case study discusses how Harvard’s Government Performance Lab provided …