The Essential Guide to Public Procurement by Dimand, Ana-Maria; Brunjes, Benjamin M.; Patrucco, Andrea S.;

Short description:

The book offers a thorough and up-to-date overview of the theoretical and practical perspectives that drive and govern procurement activities.

Long description:

Public procurement, the strategic process governments use to efficiently and ethically acquire goods and services, is a critical administrative function. And yet, few who practice or teach government contracting have received much formal training in the theories, tactics, and techniques of public procurement. The Essential Guide to Public Procurement is designed for all those who “fall into” procurement with little formal training: academic instructors teaching procurement courses without specialized backgrounds, students in Public Administration programs seeking to understand government contracting, researchers exploring this interdisciplinary field, and practitioners at all levels of government who manage over $10 trillion allocated annually in global procurement spending.

Each chapter combines academic research with practitioner insights, capturing key elements of the procurement process. Teaching cases developed in partnership with professional organizations like NIGP and NASPO make it an invaluable resource for both classroom instruction and professional development. Covering essential topics including strategic frameworks, regulations, procurement processes, and contract management, the book offers a thorough and up-to-date overview of the theoretical and practical perspectives that drive and govern procurement activities. In each chapter, authors examine the context and objectives of public procurement, the rules and institutions that shape government contracts, and the phases of the procurement process, equipping readers with the necessary knowledge to design and manage high-performing contracts. The book further identifies strategies to align procurement with broader public policy goals, including social impact and sustainability, and provides in-class activities to facilitate student learning. By bridging theory and real-world cases, The Essential Guide to Public Procurement equips practitioners, educators, and policymakers with the tools to navigate the complexities of government contracting and partnership management.

“An essential resource for public procurement professionals, this book bridges theory and practice, making it invaluable for education and application. It aligns with NIGP’s mission, raising awareness in academia and inspiring future leaders. I plan to integrate it into our curriculum and ensure accessibility for our members.”

Todd Slater, NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, United States.

“This is an excellent resource for students, practitioners, and academics interested in public procurement that has been edited by a powerhouse team of scholars. It masterfully blends together cutting edge topics in the theory and practice of public procurement, written by leading experts in key subject areas. I suspect this will be an excellent desk reference for many years to come.”

Steven Carnovale, Florida Atlantic University, United States.

“The Essential Guide to Public Procurement is a welcome addition to the contracting literature. This book provides powerful conceptual frameworks for understanding how to maximize value from procurement along with practical approaches and tools. It is thorough, comprehensive, and accessible.”

Trevor Brown, Ohio State University, United States.

“Professors Dimand, Brunjes and Patrucco have compiled a diverse set of contributions on the analysis and practice of public procurement, addressing well-established theoretical approaches and modern techniques that may prove useful in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public procurement. It is interesting and useful for both researchers and practitioners.”

Germà Bel, University of Barcelona, Spain.

“Teaching public procurement is one of the most important tasks for public affairs education worldwide. This book provides, in one place, an introduction to key theories and practical cases, making it an indispensable resource for teachers and students of public procurement.”

Ole Helby Petersen, Roskilde University, Denmark.

“This book is an excellent resource for educators and public procurement professionals alike. Written by scholars specializing in public procurement, it offers an extensive overview of contemporary trends and foundational theories, making it a must-have resource. This comprehensive guide and the included case studies make it a worthy addition to any professional collection.”

Matthew Oyer, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), United States.

“This book is an excellent resource for both public procurement practitioners and educators. By integrating real-world cases, it brings needed attention to public procurement and highlights its growing importance in today’s complex and volatile environment. It offers valuable insights for understanding, teaching, and improving procurement practices in both public and policy settings.”

Wendy Tate, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States.

Table of Contents:

1. Public Procurement Essentials: an Introduction  2. Contract and Agency Theories  3. Transaction Cost Economics and Public Procurement  4. Advancing Resource Dependence Theory: Navigating Power Dynamics to Improve Public Procurement  5. Public Procurement Law  6. Understanding the Political Dynamics in Public Procurement  7. Procuring Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)  8. Public Procurement Strategy  9. Efficiency in Public Procurement  10. Sustainable Public Procurement  11. Social Equity and Economic Development through Contracting  12. Innovation in Public Procurement  13. Public Procurement Ethics: a Human Rights Lens to Public Procurement  14. Transparency and Accountability in Public Procurement  15. Managing the Procurement Organization  16. Managing Procurement Contract Design, Incentives, and Relationships  17. Managing Solicitation and Supplier Selection  18. Managing Contract Performance  19. Public Procurement and Logistics Management in Federal and State Systems  20. E-procurement - the Hope and the Hype  21. Unlocking Procurement’s Potential using Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Blockchain Technologies  22. Application of Digital Twin and 3D-Printing: Creating Capabilities for Resilient Public Procurement  23. Competencies for Effective Public Procurement