Executive summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In contingent delivery, unauthorized subcontracting can appear as \u201chelp\u201d or \u201cteam support.\u201d In reality it can be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Capability arbitrage<\/strong> (someone else does the hard parts)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cost arbitrage<\/strong> (cheaper labor substituted without approval)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Access harvesting<\/strong> (approved credentials used to funnel access to others)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is a procurement risk because it undermines who you think you contracted with, who is accountable, and who has access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A short field vignette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A contractor\u2019s output is strong, but collaboration is inconsistent. Meetings are avoided. Work arrives in batches. Later, the manager discovers multiple people are contributing behind the scenes. No one can confirm who touched the systems or data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Procurement takeaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Subcontracting can be legitimate when it is disclosed, governed, and approved. The risk is when it is undisclosed, unmanaged, and unverified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Clarify: where subcontracting is allowed, and what disclosure + approval looks like for contingent roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s next? Cut complexity. Maximize compliance.<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWork with Procom \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\n\n![\"simon-gray-linkedin](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/simon-gray-linkedin-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\nAbout the author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simon Gray<\/strong>, Vice President, Workforce Solutions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With over 25 years of experience in strategic staffing, Simon leads Procom\u2019s Workforce Solutions division to help clients hire quickly and compliantly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\n
- Cost arbitrage<\/strong> (cheaper labor substituted without approval)<\/li>\n\n\n\n