Padronização da fiscalização de contratos de prestação de serviços contínuos em uma Instituição Federal de ensino

Abstract

Introduction: The oversight of continuous service contracts is an activity of utmost importance for public agencies, as it ensures the quality of services delivered and compliance with the contractual terms, thereby safeguarding the public interest. The significant growth in the outsourcing of service provision has led public managers to place greater emphasis on contract oversight, with the aim of ensuring legal certainty, efficiency, and accountability. However, further efforts are still required to make such oversight more efficient and effective. Problem: In this context, evidence was found suggesting a lack of standardization in the oversight of continuous service contracts at the Reference Center for Training and Distance Education (CEFOR, in portuguese) and the Rectory of the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Espírito Santo (IFES, in portuguese), as observed in other educational institutions. Therefore, the main objective was to analyze the oversight of these continuous service contracts, under the regime of exclusive labor dedication, in these units, in order to assess the existing level of standardization. As a theoretical foundation, a literature review was conducted encompassing, in addition to the legal framework and empirical studies, both national and international literature aligned with the research topic and the evolution of administrative models, with emphasis on the paradigms of New Public Management (NPM). Methods and procedures: The research adopted a qualitative-quantitative approach, applied in nature, with a theoretical-empirical methodology, exploratory and explanatory objectives, and the use of both primary and secondary sources for data collection. In addition to the literature review, documentary research was conducted, analyzing institutional documents and contract oversight manuals, along with semi-structured interviews, examined based on Bardin’s (2016) content analysis method. The findings confirmed the research assumption – namely, the lack of uniformity in contract oversight in the surveyed units – by revealing, among other aspects, noncompliance with current legislation, weaknesses in guidance and support instruments, gaps in inspector training, and deficiencies in institutional communication. Based on these findings, a technical/technological product was developed: a contract oversight guide entitled Shall we inspect? Acting with safety and efficiency in contract oversight. This updated and robust guide aims to standardize the work of contract inspectors, promoting legal certainty, effectiveness, and accountability, as well as strengthening contract governance in alignment with the public interest.