| United States: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Privatization | ||
| Indicators | Score | |
| 50 | Is the privatization process effective? | 83 |
| 51 | Can citizens access the terms and conditions of privatization bids? | 100 |
Indicator and sub-Indicator Details
| 50 | Is the privatization process effective? | |||||||
| 50a: In law, all businesses are eligible to compete for privatized state assets. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Under the Clinton and Bush Administrations, the U.S. has stepped up efforts to privatize certain activities that were traditionally government-run. Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-76 sets the policies and procedures that executive branch agencies must use in identifying commercial-type activities and determining whether these activities are best provided by the private sector, by government employees, or by another agency through a fee-for-service agreement. The term typically used to describe this process is competitive sourcing. U.S. Department of Energy: "What You Always Wanted to Know About the New OMB Circular A-76, but Were Too Confused to Ask."
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| 50b: In law, there are regulations addressing conflicts of interest for government officials involved in privatization. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: OMB A-76 requires that agencies comply with procurement integrity, ethics, and standards of conduct rules, including the restrictions of 18 U.S.C. ยง 208, when performing streamlined and standard competitions. [ LINK ]
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| 50c: In practice, conflicts of interest regulations for government officials involved in privatization are enforced. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: As noted above, the Center for Public Integrity has reported on the weak enforcement powers of privatization and procurement regulations. "Outsourcing the Pentagon," [ LINK ] Recent congressional testimony indicates the problems continue. See: "House panel digs deeper into use of contractors; According to testimony, mismanagement of federal projects by private companies is a `systemic problem.'" Los Angeles Times, February 9, 2007
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| 51 | Can citizens access the terms and conditions of privatization bids? | |||||||
| 51a: In law, citizens can access privatization regulations. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: OMB Circular A-76 details requirements for competition.
Peer Review Comments: Can you elaborate a bit more? How do citizens access?
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| 51b: In practice, privitizations are effectively advertised. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Award information on all federal contracts over $2,500 can be found at: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: [ LINK ] doesn't work for me.
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| 51c: In law, the government is required to publicly announce the results of privatization decisions. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: OMB Circular A-76 requires an agency to make a formal public announcement (at the local level and via FedBizOpps.gov) for each streamlined or standard competition.
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| 51d: In practice, citizens can access privatization regulations within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Award information on all federal contracts over $2,500 can be found at: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: The URL [ LINK ] doesn't work for me.
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| 51e: In practice, citizens can access privatization regulations at a reasonable cost. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Award information on all federal contracts over $2,500 can be found at: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: The URL [ LINK ] doesn't work for me.
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