The Second Continental Congress established the legal framework for government procurements when they set up the Commissary General's office in 1775. The Commissary General faced many of the same acquisition issues that program managers face today. Namely, they were looking for fair prices, competition, and on-time delivery of materials and supplies. However, the Quartermaster General's office had many problems getting proper food, uniforms and arms to the troops. A notable example is how ill housed, fed and clothed General Washington's forces were at Valley Forge in 1777. The U.S. Civil War had similar problems. One of the suppliers was so bad that the uniforms they provided fell apart during foul weather. The supplier of the uniforms was William Shoddy and to this day poorly quality is referred to as "shoddy merchandise."
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