ABSTRACT
One of the most difficult and sometimes frustrating parts about managing a technology project is determining how an organization or agency will actually “obtain” technology hardware or software. There are many rules, policies and even laws that deal with the procurement process. The difficulty is attributed to the fact that public safety agencies must relinquish the responsibilities of the project to someone outside of your chain of command. Public safety agencies or organizations have specific personnel that are responsible for the acquiring technology. They are usually assigned to the finance department or auditorcontroller division. There are many rules that must be adhered to as a condition of being part of a government agency. Agencies have a great deal of discretion when creating policies
and procedures on evaluating technology proposals or projects. “Nevertheless, requirements should be well defined and the process should always be thoroughly followed.”1
