If it is determined that privatization of certain governmental functions may be appropriate, the privatization inquiry process should be well defined with appropriate nonpartisan, institutional oversight. The principles that guide a privatization inquiry shall include the following: (1) To ensure the potential savings are realized and maximized — build cost controls and containment incentives into contracts to eliminate excessive and unreasonable overhead costs and profits at the expense of citizens of the state; (2) To preserve and promote competition — permit in-house program managers and public employees to bid for the contract on a level playing field; (3) To ensure quality and responsiveness — develop reliable measures of service quality, strengthen in-house monitoring capacity and expertise, and write contracts with periodic performance reporting; (4) To ensure accountability, control, and avoidance of conflicts of interest with departmental managers — write detailed contract specifications, and require record-keeping and periodic reports; (5) To address legal and political barriers — involve affected groups in the decision-making process; and (6) To recognize the impact on service recipients, employees, and their families — enable public employees to have an opportunity to bid for their work.
‹ Prev All Rhode Island sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.