A proposal to conduct Government contracting on the Internet

Abstract

The primary purpose of this thesis is to examine the legal ramifications of conducting Government Agency contracting on the Internet. The author proposes that the Internet is a suitable medium on which to process and conduct all aspects of Government contracting. The thesis examines the current legal issues surrounding contract formation across the open architecture of the Internet. The thesis then examines the latest cryptological schemes for both encryption and decryption and the logistical challenge of passing keys between participants. The thesis discusses current Federal agencies and current Federal policies regarding encryption and its suitability for Government contracting. The thesis also examines the latest efforts among State legislatures and commercial legal ramifications for contracting on the Internet.