Government Contracting: A Public Solutions Handbook

Government contracting is one of the most important issues facing federal, state, and local governments. As governments contend with lower tax revenues and a growing belief that smaller government is better government, contracting has become a fundamental means of providing goods and services to citizens. This volume, which is geared toward practitioners as well as students, addresses the broad range of issues that comprise government contracting – from the political, economic philosophy, and value of contracting – to the future of government contracting.

Throughout the volume academic theory provides a foundation to address practical subjects, including the contract process, monitoring and evaluating contracts, ethics, and both federal and state local government contracting. Contributors to this volume are both academicians and practitioners, who together offer their scholarly expertise and practical experience, encouraging readers to ask the very question "What is the role of government in American society?" Through this approach, students will acquire the knowledge needed to understand the various aspects of government contracting, and practitioners will enhance their public procurement skills. Government Contracting is ideally suited to MPA students, practitioners in the public sector, and elected officials looking to enhance their understanding of privatization and contracting in order to provide public services more effectively.

Robert A. Shick is a visiting scholar in the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University’s Newark Campus, and was formerly on the faculty of both SPAA and Long Island University, USA. Dr. Shick has extensive experience as a senior administrator in New York City government contracting, and he is an active researcher in government contracting and nonprofit management. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal for Health and Human Services Administration and the Journal of Administrative Sciences.