Which collusion scheme involves two or more contractors refraining from bidding or withdrawing a previously submitted bid?

Which collusion scheme involves two or more contractors refraining from bidding or withdrawing a previously submitted bid?

• A. Bid rotation
• B. Bid suppression
• C. Market division
• D. Market allocation

Answer: (B)

Bid suppression is a collusion tactic where two or more contractors agree not to bid on a contract or to withdraw a bid after submission. By withholding bids, they remove competitive pressure, keeping prices higher and steering the win to a favored firm. This differs from bid rotation, where bidders take turns winning contracts, and from market division or market allocation, where firms divide markets to avoid competing in each other's territories.

Bid suppression is a collusion tactic where two or more contractors agree not to bid on a contract or to withdraw a bid after submission. By withholding bids, they remove competitive pressure, keeping prices higher and steering the win to a favored firm. This differs from bid rotation, where bidders take turns winning contracts, and from market division or market allocation, where firms divide markets to avoid competing in each other's territories.