Federal Contracting and Acquisition: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Abstract

This brief paper discusses the Obama administration's public procurement agenda, major trends that influence the acquisition regime (that now encompasses $500B annually), and significant challenges the administration faces in improving the value it receives for the money it spends. It concludes with a group of research questions suggested by participants at the November IBM forum on Framing a Public Management Research Agenda.

Keywords: public procurement, acquisition workforce, government contracting, outsourcing, major systems acquisition, incentives

JEL Classification: H57, K23, L33