ABSTRACT
Ethical behavior for government contractors can be encouraged by discouraging conflicts of interests through provisions in government solicitations and contracts. The best practices request for proposals (RFP) and model contract available to readers online include provisions that are intended to discourage conflicts of interest. Individuals who intend to design an ethics training program, or update an existing ethics training program, are encouraged to review additional sources prior to reflecting on the material to cover, approach to presenting the material, and the desired impact on those receiving the training. Participation in corrupt activities by elected officials, naturally, carries far graver consequences. Illicit compensation may be significant but is normally a small percentage of the added cost of the program resulting from corrupt contracting practices. The benefits for government entities that maintain an effective ethical contracting program include improved budgetary opportunities, enhanced agency reputation, elevated employee morale, strengthened government services, as well as opportunities for just compensation of agency officials and employees.
