Presented March 23, 2002
at the International Food Service Executives Association Convention

1. The Funding of Government Programs
1. Federal Budget Process
1. February, President submits budget to Congress
2. April, House & Senate Budget Committees develop budget resolutions
3. April or May, House & Senate adopt budget resolution setting general review and spending levels and other budget issues
4. House & Senate Appropriations Committees
1. 13 Subcommittee
1. Defense
2. Military Construction
2. Within broad confines of budget resolution
5. 13 separate appropriation bills reported at various times from June to September in each House of Congress
6. 13 House & Senate Conference Committees work out differences
7. By end of September both Houses pass all 13 appropriation bills and President signs or vetoes
8. Continuing resolutions
9. Entitlements (non-discretionary e.g., Medicare, Social Security, retirement, interest on the national debt, etc.)
2. Influencing The Process
1. Lobbyists
1. Associations
2. Companies
3. Interest Groups
4. Coalitions
2. May need Congressional authorization
1. Subcommittee
2. Full Committee
3. Agency support (avoid veto)
3. Watch process continuously
3. Government Procurement
1. Methods
1. Solicitations
2. Schedules
3. Emergency
2. Solicitations
1. Draft
2. Comment
3. Meeting
4. Bid submission
3. Best & Finals
4. Award
5. Protests
1. Before award
2. After award (short time frame)
4. Contract Administration
1. Contracting Officer
1. Changes
2. Disputes
2. Boards of Contract Appeals
3. Court of Federal Claims