In either case, employees can be assigned singly or in contract monitoring teams. Depending upon the type and size of contracts involved, contract monitoring can involve different activities, such as contractor reports, inspections, and customer complaints and surveys. To adequately monitor some contracts, the contract monitor must use multiple monitoring methods. Contractor reports are detailed progress reports on the contract prepared and submitted by the contractor. These reports should be completed by predetermined deadlines established by the contract and verified by the monitor.
Inspections can involve spot-checking, surprise inspections, or prearranged, periodic inspections.
Finally, customer complaints and customer surveys can be used to determine customer satisfaction. The contract monitor must collect, tabulate, and analyze the complaints and surveys and determine when corrective action is needed. El Paso County contracts with numerous private vendors, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities. In 1995, the El Paso County Commissioners Court adopted a policy requiring contracts to be submitted to the County Attorney's Office for legal review before approval by the court. Each contract submitted to the County Attorney's Office should include a copy of the proposed contract and a completed contract review request form.