Public bids in a competitive context: addressing issues in the fight against bid-rigging

Bid-rigging occurs when companies, which are otherwise considered competitors, tacitly agree to raise prices or reduce the quality of services or products offered to customers through the biding process. Institutions, whether public or private, often focus on competitive biding to obtain the best price. Low prices and high-quality products are sought to make resources available or save resources for other services or goods. The competition process only results in lower prices and/or higher quality, as well as in innovation, when companies truly compete by independently and honestly setting their terms and conditions. Backstage dealings have a particularly negative impact when they affect public bids. Such practices deplete taxpayer resources and purchasing power, erode consumer confidence in competitive processes, and undermine the advantages of a competitive market.