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Government Contracts Law Research Guide

Introduction

This guide was created for students conducting introductory research in the area of government contracts. While not comprehensive, it provides a starting point by highlighting the more important, current and relevant materials available in this subject area.

For further assistance, call the Library's Reference Desk at 202-662-9140, or send e-mail to libref@law.georgetown.edu.

Key Resources

image: CCH loose-leafGovernment Contracts Reporter (CCH)
KF846.5.A6 C58 (1958 - 1998, library cancelled print subscription in 1998)
Electronic access (1956 - ); new users will have to create a username and password.
Government Contracts Reporter presents comprehensive coverage of government procurement law from bid to final settlement. It provides full text of all pertinent federal government contracting laws and regulations.

Introductory Resources

Government Contracts in a Nutshell, (5th ed.) by Steven W. Feldman & W. Noel Keyes
KF850 .K49 2011
This nutshell summarizes Federal Acquisition Regulation System (FARS), improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest, publicizing contract actions, competition requirements and all other aspects of government contracting.

Treatises and In-Depth Resources

Government Contract Guidebook, (4th ed. ) by Steven W. Feldman
KF849 .A87 2010 and on Westlaw: GCGUIDE
 Every step of the contracting process is presented in chronological order, from getting the contract to getting paid.

Government Contracts: Cyclopedic Guide to Law, Administration, Procedure, by John Cosgrove McBride
KF846.5 .M2 (library's copy updated through 2008).
Also on Lexis: Government Contracts: Law, Administration & Procedures
This treatise features extensive coverage of the law and regulation of the business of government contracting or federal acquisition.

Government Contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, (3d ed. )by W. Noel Keyes and Daniel Donohue
Westlaw: GCFAR
Part of West's Handbooks series, it describes the policies and procedures of each Federal Acquisition Regulation with critical analysis of the interpretive decisions of the courts and board.

Research Guides

Government Contracts Research Guide

  • George Washington University Law Library guide provides an introduction to research in federal government contracts law.

Procurement & Government Contract Law Resources

  • Another George Washington University Law Library guide that links directly to the procurement sites of federal agencies, as well as a multitude of other web sites on government contracts, including private practice resources and research and training aids.

News and Current Awareness

Federal Contracts Daily (BNA) (1998 - )
This daily report covers the complete spectrum of issues affecting the federal acquisition of goods and services, to keep readers abreast of policies and regulations at both government-wide and individual agency levels.

Federal Contracts Report (BNA) (1998 - )
This weekly is the one source for timely, accurate, and in-depth information on federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, and litigation.

Government Contracts Library (CCH)
Browse all practice areas on the left side until you come to the major topic "Government Contracts." Note: first-time users will have to create a username and password..

Government Contractor
Westlaw: GOVTCONT (1987 - )
This weekly newsletter is published by West and covers legal developments in the area of government contracting, including legislation, rules and regulations, and decisions from the courts, federal boards of contract appeals, and the General Accounting Office.

Government Resources

Acquisition.gov

  • Official website for Federal government procurement.

Comptroller General Decisions (General Accountability Office)

  • The Comptroller General, head of the Government Accountability Office, issues legal decisions and legal opinions on appropriations law, bid protests, and other issues of federal law.

Federal Acquisition Jumpstation

  • Government website with links to various procurement and acquisition sites.

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

  • Links to current FAR, as well as archived versions of the federal acquisition regulations.

Principles of Federal Appropriations Law ("Red Book") (1994 - )

  • This resource serves as a detailed fiscal law guide covering those areas of law in which the Comptroller General renders decisions. The Red Book describes existing legal authorities to illustrate the principles discussed, their application, and exceptions.

Updated 9/2011 (JZ)

Page last saved 03-Oct-2011