ABSTRACT

Jerman, George A., The Armpit Book of Contract Management, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, State of Florida, June, 1996.

The book is a relatively simplistic, six chapter arrangement of a formalized series of twenty-seven questions and related discussion notes organized as the writer’s description of the many aspects of contract management particularly as the process relates to the provisions of HRSM 75-2 which describes procurement and contract management of provider services within the State of Florida system. The beginning three chapters include some theoretical management and contract concepts, a breakdown of both the practical and restrictive steps required to develop, prepare, write and execute state contracts, and procedures for following legal and policy mandates that guide contracting with public and non-profit providers. The following two chapters address the needs of the local districts with regard to state central office activities, some of the inconsistencies and problems that greatly affect local workers, and the ramifications of these difficulties with respect to worker productivity and time management. The last chapter explores possible routes to some solutions for these problems and focus on the efforts of the contract manager as a central change agent. Throughout the work, the writer cites actual on the job and day-to-day situations, describes the expectations, both realistic and unrealistic held by upper level management that affect work activities, and relates these from a management analysis format, rather than in a critical manner. A number of specific examples are elucidated to aid the reader in reducing some of the frustrations and aggravations experienced by the writer who, although knowledgeable, apparently found getting entrenched in the contract management processes rather painful. In fact, it is just this orientation that gives the novice contract manager the basis for examining what, and how, things need to be done rather than trying to go by the book. Extensive appendices provide essential terms, definitions, forms, descriptive materials, a management sources bibliography, and useful information not usually found right at hand or otherwise easily accessible. The writer states the book is intended to help the contract manager become a better one faster and easier, while enduring the strain.

CLICK HERE for a detailed outline and other content.

Click here to return to the Management Analysis home page.