Workshop Description:
This workshop provides public procurement professionals with a practical understanding of ethics and integrity in government contracting. Participants will explore ethical principles, applicable laws and standards of conduct, and the critical role ethical decision-making plays throughout the procurement lifecycle. The course is designed to help participants recognize ethical risks and dilemmas, apply structured decision-making tools, and maintain public trust through responsible procurement practices. In addition, the workshop examines common types of procurement fraud and provides guidance on identifying fraud indicators. Instruction includes lecture, facilitated discussion, small-group exercises, and scenario-based exercises to reinforce practical application.

Who Should Attend:

• Procurement professionals and contract administrators
• Government employees involved in purchasing or contract management
• Project managers and department staff participating in procurements
• Anyone seeking to strengthen ethical decision-making skills in public contracting
• Learn procurement fraud schemes and recognize indicators and warning signs

Course/Workshop topics:

• Ethics and personal values in public service
• Ethics laws and regulatory requirements
• Standards of ethical conduct
• Conflicts of interest
• Acceptance of gifts and benefits
• Penalties for ethical violations
• Five-step ethical decision-making framework
• Types of procurement fraud
• Fraud indicators and warning signs

Benefits of Attendance – participants will:

• Understand the importance of ethical behavior and integrity in public procurement
• Gain familiarity with Texas ethics laws and standards of conduct
• Recognize ethical risks, conflicts of interest, and appearance-of-impropriety issues
• Learn practical tools for structured ethical decision-making
• Identify procurement fraud schemes and recognize fraud indicators
• Strengthen confidence in handling complex ethical situations