At the beginning of the process, there's the needs analysis. What is the contract intended to achieve? If this information is missing, we're already starting a little late.
In the public service, contracting is often about helping the government to change, to transform itself. Having opinions from outside the public service is essential. It's human nature to always want to do things the same way. That's why we sometimes need to turn to someone from the outside.
That said, I would still expect there to be a report, something to demonstrate the value added by the contract.