Ethics in the Government Procurement System

摘要

Recent media reports have highlighted the breakdown in ethical standards of government employees and former employees and the defense industry. While the breakdown can be attributed to criminal conduct and greed, it is clear that basic ethical standards have been violated. This paper provides an overview of ethical standards expected of business and government employees. It analyzes the legal and moral obligations imposed on these employees by custom, practice and law. It provides a detailed analysis of the development of standards of conduct for government officers and employees, especially the new Executive Order issued on April 12, 1989. Training programs for the defense industry and the government are discussed with emphasis on the initiatives designed to restore public confidence in the government procurement system. (kt)