A Study of the Contracting and Procurement Process for Cots Software Projects

The subject of contracting and procurement in relation to COTS software projects has not been well studied. This study discusses issues related to contracting and procurement process in COTS (Commercial Of The Shelf) software acquisition projects. The research is based on the analysis of three case studies of major COTS projects in Bahrain. Based on the case studies analysis and the literature review, we present a solution in the form of a "contracting and procurement" guidelines to be adopted in the Contracting and Procurement Process of COTS software systems.