Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Master the legal and regulatory framework governing **Government Procurement** (e.g., public bidding laws, federal regulations).
• Differentiate between standard procurement methods (IFB, RFP, sole-source) and when to use each compliantly.
• Apply the principles of **Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)** and justify awards based on public value.
• Design and manage complex contracts requiring social objectives (e.g., small business, diversity goals).
• Implement and enforce strict ethics and **anti-corruption** policies specific to public servants.
• Understand the public transparency requirements (e.g., open records, public disclosure) for tenders and contracts.
• Manage the process of contract protests, disputes, and administrative recourse efficiently.
• Structure clear specifications and statements of work (SOW) to avoid legal challenges.

• Government Procurement Officers and Buyers (Federal, State, Local)
• Contract Administrators in Public Agencies
• Internal Audit and Ethics/Compliance Staff in Government
• Private Sector Sales and Business Development selling to the Government
• Managers overseeing Public Funds and Budget Allocation
• Attorneys specializing in Public Contract Law

• Case study analysis of a government contract award overturned due to procedural non-compliance.
• Group activity: simulating a public bid opening and evaluating compliance with submission requirements.
• Role-playing a situation involving a gift offer or conflict of interest in a public setting.
• Individual exercise: drafting a compliant justification for a sole-source purchase over the mandated threshold.
• Discussions on the political pressures and stakeholder management unique to government procurement.

Unit 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework

• The statutory basis for government purchasing and competitive bidding mandates
• Understanding the hierarchy of federal, state, and local procurement regulations
• Defining key legal terms: conflict of interest, gratuities, and public trust

• Implementing a strict Code of Ethics for all procurement personnel
• Managing mandatory disclosure of financial and familial conflicts of interest

Unit 2: Tendering and Solicitation Methods

• Mastering the Invitation for Bids (IFB) and Request for Proposals (RFP) processes
• Justifying and documenting the compliant use of non-competitive (sole-source) procurement
• Implementing procedures for sealed bids and public bid opening requirements

• Managing set-aside programs for small businesses, disadvantaged groups, and local enterprises
• Ensuring social and environmental criteria are compliantly integrated into RFPs

Unit 3: Evaluation, Award, and Transparency

• Applying the **Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)** principle for non-price factors (technical, quality)
• Documenting the entire evaluation process to withstand potential legal challenge

• Complying with public records laws (e.g., Freedom of Information Acts) for contracts and bids
• Procedures for managing and resolving bidder protests and appeals efficiently and fairly

Unit 4: Contract Administration and Oversight

• Special requirements for managing contracts funded by public taxpayer money
• Procedures for managing contract changes, modifications, and terminations compliantly
• Enforcing performance standards and managing vendor non-compliance in a public context

• Preparing for and responding to internal and external government audits (e.g., GAO, inspector general)
• Maintaining meticulous, auditable records for all procurement decisions

Unit 5: Public-Private Partnerships and Future Trends

• Introduction to the procurement and structuring of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
• The specialized requirements for procuring IT and technology solutions in government

• The transition to e-Procurement and digital platforms in the public sector
• Managing challenges related to data security and cloud computing contracts