This volume is an English translation of the book entitled Governare per contratto. Come creare valore attraverso i contratti pubblici (Editoriale Scientifica, Naples, 2018). It deepens the causes of inefficiencies of the public demand and investigates why tender procedures don't always select of the best offeror. The Author carries out a detailed and critical exam by reasoning around the principles of public economic law and proposes a way out of the public procurement crisis, as timely as ever.