Automated Government contract management as a paradigm for standard programs vs. standard forms

Abstract

This thesis identifies a potential weakness in the Federal Government's policy in the area of Contract Administration relating to computer prepared forms and documents. In particular, the preparation of Contract Progress Payment Request (Standard Form 1443). It is the author's thesis that the Government, which gave us the 'Standard Form', should take a leadership role in developing the 'Standard Program', and that these programs be distributed to contractors free of charge in an effort to: 1. Establish and maintain program standards concerning content and documentation, and 2. Eliminate, to the maximum extent possible, mistakes in form preparation caused by math or logic errors.