This unbiased analysis of statutes, regulations, and case law clarifies the complex rules of federal procurement policies, explaining the processes that government personnel and contractors must follow in every aspect of government contractingand—from inception to completion. Topics include contract administration and personnel, contract interpretation, risk allocation, changes, delays, pricing of adjustments, and much more.

Winning Government Contracts shows you the way. It begins at the beginning, assuming no prior knowledge of the government marketplace and its sometimes complicated terminology. Written in a clear, easy-to-understand language by experienced sales and marketing professionals, this book takes you through the registration and bidding process step by step.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) System; Improper Practices and Conflicts of Interest; Competition Requirements; Make or Buy; Contractor Qualifications; Market Research; Commercial Items; Simplified Procedures; Sealed Bidding; Negotiation; Types of Contracts; Special Methods; Small Business; Labor Laws; Environment; Privacy and Freedom of Information; Foreign Acquisition; Patents and Copyrights; Bonds and Insurance; Taxes; Cost Accounting Standards; Contract Cost Principles; Financing; Protest and Disputes; Major Systems; Research and Development; Construction and A-E Contracts; Service Contracting; Federal Supply; Utilities; Modifications; Subcontracting; Government Property; Quality Assurance; Transportation; Value Engineering; Termination; Extraordinary Actions; Government Sources; Clauses and Forms.

The second edition of Government Contracting: Promises and Perils picks up where the first edition’s mission left off: exposing fraud, incompetence, waste, and abuse (FIWA) and analyzing corruption, mismanagement, and ineptitude that defile government contracting. The first edition thoroughly outlined procurement throughout the contracting cycle including initial planning, contractor selection, contract administration, contract closeout, and auditing. This significantly revised new edition provides additional much-needed guidance on contracting documents, management tools, and processes for addressing negative influences on government contracting, including an improved approach to evaluating proposals. Specific guidance for avoiding FIWA is provided for government officials and employees, government agencies, and government contractors, and practical solutions to problems faced by individuals and organizations involved in government contracting are intended for both practitioner and pedagogical applications. The "Government Procurement Corruption Wall of Shame" that was introduced in the first edition to illustrate contracting perils such as conflicts of interest, duplicity, favoritism, incompetence, kickbacks, and protests is continued in the second edition, and cases illustrating the existence of FIWA in government contracting have been thoroughly updated. Contracting documents and contract management tools are provided on a website designed to accompany the book. Written at the graduate level and specifically intended for state, local, federal, and international government procurement activities, this textbook is required reading for public procurement, contract management, business, and public administrations courses.