Outcontracting in emergency management: More than a business conundrum

Abstract

Outcontracting is a growing practice by governments as well as by nongovernmental organizations engaged in emergency management. Understanding the role of the private sector in providing equipment and services is critical in ensuring that emergency management is carried out as effectively and efficiently as possible in the best interest of the affected population. This inquiry looks at the types of services that the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracts out to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and examines the reviews that these services have received by government itself, interest groups, and disaster scientists. The article concludes with an overview of specific functional areas, where the services of either for-profits or not-for-profits are most appropriate in relation to their areas of expertise. The implication drawn from the analysis is that contractors’ motivations and expertise need to be clearly understood when awarding government contracts in order to respond effectively to disaster needs and meet taxpayers’ expectations.

Keywords

emergency management / FEMA / for-profit contractor / government outcontracting / not-for-profit contractor / United States

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