In-House vs. Contracted Work Forces: A Comparison of NPWC Pensacola and NPWC Jacksonville.

The purpose of this paper was to conduct an in-depth analysis of total cost, quality, and response times using in-house (government civil service) or contracted (private) work forces to complete facilities maintenance work and recommend the best method of performance of these functions at a Navy Public Works Center. Actual work force structure, total cost, quality and response time data was analyzed for Navy Public Works Center Pensacola, which uses in-house work forces, and Navy Public Works Center Jacksonville, which uses contracted work forces, to determine the value received by their customers. The data was analyzed on a macro- level to compare total revenue to direct and direct plus overhead personnel to determine the amount of direct work produced per employee at both locations. A more in-depth analysis was then conducted on the types of maintenance work the Public Works Centers provide, Emergency Service work, Recurring work, and Minority Specific work orders, to determine which location provides the best value to their customers. The results of the analysis showed that for all types of maintenance work in- house work forces provided comparable if not better value to their customers than contracted work forces. This service was delivered with roughly the same response time and usually at the same or lower cost. Additionally, because of the projected rate increases at PWC Jacksonville the value PWC Pensacola's customers receive will be even greater for the next several years.