United States Federal Government Civilian Procurement System

Statutory Basis

• Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (FPASA)
  Generally, Title 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq.
• Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPP)
  Title 41 U.S.C. 401 et seq.
• Contract Disputes Act
  Title 41 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
• Procurement Protest System
  Title 28 U.S.C. 1491 et seq.
  Title 31 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.
• Small Business Act
  Generally, Title 15 U.S.C. 637 et seq.

Regulatory Implementation

• Federal Acquisition Regulation
• Agency Supplements
  48 CFR Chapters 2-57
  

Basic Principles

• Professional Procurement Work Force
• Full and Open Competition
• Market surveys with industry participation
• Published Statement of Needs
• Published Evaluation Criteria

Procurement Integrity (Ethics)

• Restrictions on Procurement Official
• Restrictions on Source Selection Information
• Suspension and Debarment Provisions

Disputes Resolution Process

• Bid Protests
• Pre and Post award debriefings
• Agency Level Protest Procedures
• Administrative Protest Procedures (General Accounting Office)
• Judicial Protest Avenues
• Contract Claims
• Administrative Protest Avenues
• Judicial Protest Avenues

Current and Future Trends

• Acquisition Reform Office of Federal Procurement Policy
• Commercial Type Acquisitions
• Electronic Commerce
• Expanded use of Internet
• Oral Presentations
• Emphasis on Past Performance
• Alternate Dispute Resolution