Bid-rigging, price-fixing, and other antitrust violations by unscrupulous vendors can result in significant overcharges to public entities. With a few simple steps, however, you can help discourage anticompetitive activity and increase your chances of detecting it if it occurs:
- Keep an up-to-date list of potential bidders; solicit bids from as many competitors as possible.
- Require bidders to identify partners, subcontractors, and joint ventures in their bids.
- Require non-collusion affidavits with every bid.
- If something looks strange, ask bidders to explain.
- Retain bid and purchase records for at least five years, allowing for review.
- Do not reveal the names of prospective bidders or cost estimates before the contract is awarded.
- Join the Ohio Attorney General’s Partnership for Competitive Purchasing, and let us know about suspicious activity. Visit the Attorney General’s website to register.