The US Gov't as Private Market Participant

The July/August 2005 Business Law Today's lead article, "Private Suppliers in a Public Role" focuses on the growing participation of the US government in private markets.  The US government currently spends $76 billion in the private market each year.  The article cites three reasons for the increase in private spending in the government; 1. New procedures for spending that allow for faster acquisition of products and services, 2. Reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq have created a large market for private firms to participate in the rebuilding, and 3. The Bush administration's aggressive use of private markets to increase competition within government agencies.