Before and after: Is Outsourcing a Better Value Than Organic Support : A Case Study Comparing Organic vs. Contractor Controlled Depot-Level Maintenance of the F-117

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not outsourcing of the depot-level maintenance of the F-117 was a better value than maintaining the capability in house. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three questions: (1) Are the contract performance metrics good indicators of "better value"; (2) Has the decision to outsource F-117 depot-level maintenance provided a better value to the Air Force? (3) if outsourcing F-117 depot maintenance is an equal or better value, do we still want to give up the potential core capability? The research questions were answered through an extensive literature review, triangulation of archival data, customer satisfaction questionnaire, and expert interviews. The research indicates that the Air Force should be cautious about making the decision to outsource before doing an analysis of projected benefits.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Before and after: Is Outsourcing a Better Value Than Organic Support : A Case Study Comparing Organic vs. Contractor Controlled Depot-Level Maintenance of the F-117', published 1999 under ISBN 9781423542629 and ISBN 1423542622.