What term best describes contracting with an external provider to deliver services while the government remains accountable for outcomes?

What term best describes contracting with an external provider to deliver services while the government remains accountable for outcomes?

• A. Market Research
• B. Outsourcing
• C. Public-Private Partnership
• D. Privatization

Answer: (B)

Outsourcing is contracting an external provider to deliver a service while the government remains accountable for the results. The government sets the required outcomes, quality standards, and timelines in a contract, and the private provider executes the work under ongoing oversight and payment tied to performance. This arrangement lets the government leverage specialized capabilities without giving up responsibility for public results. Privatization would involve transferring ownership and control of the service to the private sector, reducing government oversight of outcomes. A public-private partnership is typically a long-term, collaborative arrangement with shared risk and financing between the public and private sectors, where both contribute to delivering the service and governance is jointly managed. Market research is unrelated to delivering public services through contracted operations.

Outsourcing is contracting an external provider to deliver a service while the government remains accountable for the results. The government sets the required outcomes, quality standards, and timelines in a contract, and the private provider executes the work under ongoing oversight and payment tied to performance. This arrangement lets the government leverage specialized capabilities without giving up responsibility for public results.

Privatization would involve transferring ownership and control of the service to the private sector, reducing government oversight of outcomes. A public-private partnership is typically a long-term, collaborative arrangement with shared risk and financing between the public and private sectors, where both contribute to delivering the service and governance is jointly managed. Market research is unrelated to delivering public services through contracted operations.