Cutting Corners: How Government Contractors Harm the Public in Pursuit of Profit
Type
Policy Brief or Report
Year
2016
Level
City or Town, State
State(s)
All States
Policy Areas
Finance & Procurement
Government contractors are incentivized to cut corners to show that they are a “cheaper” alternative to non-contracted works, often resulting in deception and lack of transparency that harms workers, the public, and the environment, while leading to cost overruns. Public officials can protect against the harms caused by inappropriate corporate cost-cutting through greater oversight of contracted work.