Civil Engineering Service Contracts: Relationship of Performance to Contract Type.

摘要

The purpose of this research effort was to determine whether service contractor performance is significantly related to the type of contract involved. The research hypothesis asserted that contractor performance is related to contract type. Contractor performance was expressed by the number of documented instances of unsatisfactory performance. Contract type was defined as distinguishing between fixed price and incentive price contracts. Several other factors were also considered, such as contract cost, scope, and term, as well as contractor experience and stature. Data were collected from nine Air Force installations. Data were input to a stepwise linear regression program. The resultant equation was subjected to F- and t-tests to establish overall and individual statistical significance. The analyzed data did not support the original research hypothesis that contractor performance is related to contract type. However, two other factors were identified which did significantly affect contractor performance. They were the use of small business set-asides and the transition period from inhouse to contractor performance. The authors present several areas for continued research which might prove beneficial to future service contracting effort. (Author)