What do agencies need to avoid according to the Government's contracting policy?

Agencies need to avoid overly restrictive provisions in their contracting policies because such provisions can limit competition and restrict the pool of potential contractors. The goal of government contracting is to promote fair and open competition, which encourages innovation and ensures that taxpayers receive the best possible value for their money.

Overly restrictive provisions can create barriers for businesses that might otherwise be qualified to fulfill the contract requirements. This not only hampers the ability of various vendors to compete but can also lead to less favorable prices and quality of services or products due to a lack of competition. By ensuring that provisions are not overly restrictive, agencies can attract a wider range of bidders, fostering a more competitive environment that ultimately benefits the government and the public.

In contrast, while minimal competition, subjective requirements, and increased paperwork can be concerns in government contracting, the critical focus is on maintaining an open and competitive procurement process, which overly restrictive provisions directly undermine.