ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the procurement processes for contractors and consultants and how public sector managers and their teams can make the best use of those processes. In a sense, nonprofit and private sector contractors and consultants are hired to become part of the public sector managers' extended project team. One of the key responsibilities that public sector managers have consists of hiring the best agents within the context and constraints of the procurement rules. One additional characteristic of a successful procurement system that we would add to this list is due diligence on the part of the public sector management team in selecting the most qualified agents to provide supplies and services. The chapter argues that the clarity of roles and responsibilities must extend to the relationships between project managers and their consultants and contractors, whether they are involved in project management or any other project-related work.
