While most contractors win bids the right way, some may see an opportunity they want at all costs and decide to take a shortcut to get it. Corruption in government contracting can be a slippery slope or a leap off a cliff. Either way, it’s unethical and illegal. Some forms of reciprocity are deemed appropriate in the business world, while others, like kickbacks and bribes, are entirely unacceptable.

Giving gifts of small value, like wine or flowers, with no strings attached, are appropriate. Contrastingly, a bribe, one of the oldest forms of public corruption, constitutes giving, soliciting, or receiving any value item to influence an official’s decision-making. A kickback often involves a deal between contractors and employees; the contractor pays out bribes incrementally. Nowadays many government entities have started to ask for bidders to sign a non disclosure or a campaign contribution release form… which says that they have or not contributed to any commissioners or city council members of that county or city.

As a contractor, it’s essential to ensure that you don’t cross the line between ethical and unethical. In this article, a federal sales and marketing consultant details the story of a vendor who bribed a federal contracting official to gain inside information on upcoming contracts and was ultimately sentenced to jail time.

The process of winning government contracts can be complicated, but it’s crucial to pursue these opportunities properly. Vendorship knows how to best position your business for contracts so you can up your chances the ethical way. Contact us today to start bidding with confidence.