Competitive tendering and contract management

Abstract

This chapter explores key terms such as competitive tendering, procurement, outsourcing and privatization. It describes the different agendas involved in the selection of particular contracting strategies. The chapter provides an overview of the key stages and processes in competitive tendering and outsourcing. It explores the impacts that a competition regime may have on public sector agencies. In addition to the larger public works contracts, there is evidence of contracting in many smaller ways in colonial administration in New South Wales. Outsourcing can also be associated with competition when decisions are made to engage external providers after a competitive tendering process has matched external providers against in-house tenderers. Some outsourcing has been based on the contentious view that the private sector is more efficient and effective than the public sector, and that it is an imperative for governments to shift delivery into the hands of private sector providers.