There are several tips to follow when aiming to buy smarter. These include:
- Asking front-line managers whether they have purchase cards and whether the cards ease small purchases.
- Making sure internal procurement rules reflect acquisition reform.
- Asking whether the agency routinely uses performance-based contracting.
- Finding out whether the agency is taking advantage of improved FSS schedules.
- Seeing to it that contractors are chosen based on their past performance.
The following article provides more information on how you can become smarter when it comes to reviewing proposals:
http://www.govexec.com/features/0497s2.htm