The procurement system: backwards to bureaucracy? A look at the goals of procurement reform over the past few decades and a suggested course of action that mirrors current concern over achieving performance outcomes while adhering to high ethical standards.
This is a dangerous time for the federal procurement system. Political controversies over Iraqi contracting have been in the headlines, following earlier headlines over credit card abuse. Within the system, there have been reports of contracting problems involving streamlined contracting vehicles run by the General Services Administration. These developments...

Duane Morris Expands Washington, D.C. Office; Alan C. Brown and Daniel P. Weitzel Join the Firm as Partners.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Duane Morris announces the expansion of its Washington, D.C. office with the addition of Alan C. Brown and Daniel P. Weitzel, who have joined the firm as partners. Sheldon M. Bonovitz, chairman of Duane Morris, said, "We are delighted that...

The impact of Croson on equal protection law and policy.
I. Introduction In many respects the Supreme Court's 1989 decision, City of Richmond v. J.A Croson Co.,(1) was the most significant civil rights case of the nineteen eighties. It set new standards of review in equal protection cases and quickly became a decisive precedent in the areas...

Acquisition Advisory Panel Recommends More Competition, Transparency in Federal Government Purchasing.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel established to recommend improvements in federal government acquisition reports that approximately one- third of the government's annual acquisition spending is not competitively bid, and urges measures to increase competition and accountability to better serve the interests of government and taxpayers. ...

Implied-in-fact contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation: why PacOrd got it wrong.
The case of PacOrd, Inc. v. United States(1) exemplifies why people should follow their gut instincts. PacOrd, a subcontractor, hesitated to work with the general contractor, A & E Industries, in performing ship repair work for the United States government. PacOrd knew of A & E's reputation for not...

Are You Ready for the Tech Apprenticeship Program?
Are You Ready for the Tech Apprenticeship Program? By Greg Kessinger, SET, CFPS NBFAA President George Gunning, president of USA Alarm Systems Inc. in Monrovia, Calif., was challenged by California law when alarm installers there were faced with a new law, supported by most electrical...

Mayor defends trash contract; Rowlands asks why council wasn't involved.
Byline: Anna L. Griffin LEOMINSTER -The City Council put the city's new trash contract under a microscope last night, and things got a little heated. One 15-minute exchange between Councilor David S. Rowlands and Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella became tense. "I was told...

Request sparks fierce debate; Illegal meetings allegations made.
Byline: Matthew Bruun LEOMINSTER - A request from the city's purchasing agent to seek approval for long-term payroll and billing contracts ignited a fierce debate in the City Council chamber last night that included allegations that illegal meetings were taking place. The discussion began when...

Absolute power may no longer corrupt PSUs.
NEW DELHI: The power ministry will soon make it mandatory for all its public sector units to make internationally acceptable "integrity pact" (IP) a part of all future contracts with suppliers. To begin with, three or four PSUs, including NTPC and NHPC, would implement the pact this...

Project EIR invalidated because of water analysis: Attorney General supports developer-Water District reimbursement pacts.
A water district may enter into a reimbursement agreement with a developer for the construction of oversized infrastructure to support anticipated growth, the state Attorney General's Office has concluded. State law provides specific authority only to cities and counties to sign reimbursement agreements. However, the ability to...