There are several tips to follow when aiming to buy smarter.  These include:

• Asking front-line managers whether they have purchase cards and whether the cards ease small purchases.
• Making sure internal procurement rules reflect acquisition reform.
• Asking whether the agency routinely uses performance-based contracting.
• Finding out whether the agency is taking advantage of improved FSS schedules.
• Seeing to it that contractors are chosen based on their past performance.

The following article provides more information on how you can become smarter when it comes to reviewing proposals:

http://www.govexec.com/features/0497s2.htm