Desiderata: Objectives for a System of Government Contract Law

Public Procurement Law Review, Vol. 11, p. 103, 2002

GWU Law School, Public Law Research Paper No. 37

17 Pages Posted: 20 Mar 2002 Last revised: 9 Feb 2024

See all articles by Steven L. Schooner

Steven L. Schooner

George Washington University - Law School

Date Written: May 19, 2011

Abstract

This brief paper - presented at a symposium presented for a developing nation engaged in drafting of a government procurement law - offers a diverse menu of aspirations frequently mentioned in the context of public purchasing. This paper introduces nine goals frequently identified for government procurement systems: (1) competition; (2) integrity; (3) transparency; (4) efficiency; (5) customer satisfaction; (6) best value; (7) wealth distribution; (8) risk avoidance; and (9) uniformity. The exercise of identifying aspirations is important, particularly because it is difficult for legislators or policymakers to articulate what they hope to achieve through a buying regime. While no system can achieve all of these goals, determining which goals are most important is a daunting, ever-evolving challenge.

JEL Classification: H57

Suggested Citation

Schooner, Steven L., Desiderata: Objectives for a System of Government Contract Law (May 19, 2011). Public Procurement Law Review, Vol. 11, p. 103, 2002, GWU Law School, Public Law Research Paper No. 37, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=304620 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.304620

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