In a brand-new episode of the Art of Procurement podcast, host Philip Ideson is joined by Daniel Glad, Director of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), to discuss what happens when fairness, transparency and the integrity of the sourcing process are undermined by deliberate criminal behaviour.
The pair discuss how the DOJ detects and deters collusion, the patterns that indicate something isn’t right, and the new whistleblower program designed to encourage people to come forward.
“Fraudulent conduct robs the government – at all levels: local, state or federal – of the benefit of competition. Competition is free and open; it is the Magna Carta of the American economic system, and robbing the government of that benefit is inherently wrongful,” said Glad.
Key moments include:
- Finding purpose in public service
- What the Strike Force does
- How criminal conduct takes shape
- Detecting collusion and red flags
- How technology changed the game
- Intent and accountability
- Vulnerable categories and conditions
- Emergencies and ethics
- Encouraging whistleblowers
“Most people are good and law-abiding, but I want your listeners to be aware that this does happen. Based on our work, it happens in every part of the country and every part of the economy. Be curious,” concluded Glad.
Summarising the podcast, Ideson said Glad’s recommendation to be curious might be the most important takeaway.
“Procurement’s role isn’t just to manage spend; it’s to protect the integrity of the systems that serve the public. Curiosity, transparency and ethical vigilance are the safeguards that keep competition fair,” he said.
Find the Protecting Competition: Inside the DOJ’s Fight Against Procurement Collusion podcast here or via Apple and Spotify.
