Emerging Policy and Practice Issues (2009)

West Government Contracts Year in Review Conference (Covering 2009)

GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 491

GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 491

16 Pages Posted: 2 Mar 2010

See all articles by Steven L. Schooner

Steven L. Schooner

George Washington University - Law School

David J. Berteau

President & CEO, Professional Services Council

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

This paper, presented at the West Government Contracts Year in Review Conference (covering 2009), attempts to identify the key trends and issues for 2010 in U.S. federal procurement. In large part, the paper focuses upon the challenges inherited by the Obama administration and its efforts during its first year in office. Among other things, the paper suggests that the administration charted a course of what it perceived as bold action – most dramatically, touting "savings" and accountability, while permitting special interests to distract focus from value for money and customer satisfaction. Accordingly, at least to date, the Obama administration's procurement policies lack a cohesive theme, suggest a reactive rather than proactive approach, strongly indicate a special interest bias, and, at best, have sent mixed messages at a critical juncture.

Keywords: government contracts, public procurement, acquisition workforce, outsourcing, major systems acquisition, procurement spending, special interests, toxic environment

JEL Classification: H42, H56, H57

Suggested Citation

Schooner, Steven L. and Berteau, David J., Emerging Policy and Practice Issues (2009) (2010). West Government Contracts Year in Review Conference (Covering 2009), GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 491, GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 491, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1562842

Steven L. Schooner (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Law School ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.law.gwu.edu/steven-l-schooner

David J. Berteau

President & CEO, Professional Services Council ( email )

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