Government Contractor Collusion & Bid Rigging Fraud Lawyers
Collusion & Bid Rigging Fraud in Government Contracting: Aggressive Government Contractor Defense for Small and Large Business Throughout the United States. We Help to Minimize the Most Costly Mistakes, Indictments and Criminal Convictions.
Whenever federal government contracts are awarded through competitive bidding (small business set-aside, full and open competition etc.) plans, to control the outcome, and how alleged conspirators plan for such an outcome can be consider as collusion and or bid rigging by agency contractors. Either, if proved by federal prosecutors, can change a person’s life, or business’s future for the worse.
Individuals and contractors who knowingly enter bid-rigging agreements are aggressively investigated by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies and can be criminally prosecuted.
Our collusion fraud and bid-rigging defense lawyers help clients to avoid or minimize potential penalties such as jail time (up to ten years) and large fines (up to $1 million for individuals, $100 million for companies, or twice the gain or loss from the offense). The FTC may also choose to bring a civil enforcement action.
What is Bid Rigging?
Bid rigging, a blatant form of procurement fraud, is an area of particular concern in government contracting. At its core, this procurement crime involves competitors determining the winning bid in advance, denying government agencies the benefits of genuine competition.
Given the severe consequences associated with this, it’s imperative for government contractors to seek out the expertise of Federal False Claims Act criminal defense attorneys familiar with government contract law, especially when facing indictment or investigation.
From the standpoint of a procurement fraud defense lawyer, bid rigging is one of the most pervasive violations prosecuted. It denotes a fraudulent action in the government contracting bidding process. This collusion is between competitors deciding in advance which party will win the bid. It occurs predominantly during the procurement process when goods or services are solicited for purchase.
Instead of genuine competition driving the lowest price, the purchaser is given a “lowest bid” that’s artificially high due to this form of procurement fraud. If your company is being investigated or criminally charged for bid rigging on a federal contract, please get in touch with our government contractor fraud defense lawyers at 1.866.601.5518. Speak to Theodore P. Watson, Lead Defense Counsel.
What is Collusion?
Collusion bidding in government contracting amounts to when contractors agree to pretend to participate in the bidding process but only to refers to artificially assign winners and inflate bidding prices. It can occur in large and small federal contracts.
Government Contract Anti-Trust Bid Rigging Collusion Defense Attorneys
More than 30 Year’s Combined Years Working on the Government’s Side
To align with the DOJ announcement November 5, 2019 our government contractor fraud defense group can represent companies charged with procurement collusion fraud and bid rigging antitrust crime. If you or your company receives an OIG or DOJ civil investigative demand, please call our antitrust bid rigging and collusion defense attorneys at 1.866.601.5518.
What defines collusive bidding practices in government contracting?
Collusive bidding in government contracting arises when two or more competitors collaborate and modify their bids, which they wouldn’t have done without such an agreement. When this collusion is entrenched, it can drastically inflate prices, sometimes by multiples of the original amounts. As bid rigging and government contractor criminal defense attorneys, we put together a team of aggressive defense attorneys to help you defend against DOJ civil investigative demands, and criminal charges and OIG government investigations, and criminal charges for bid rigging.
What are the Penalties and Consequences for Bid Rigging in the U.S.?
In the U.S., bid rigging is considered a violation of antitrust laws, specifically under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Given its illegal nature, numerous federal laws condemn this action. Typically, penalties for bid rigging include incarceration, imposition of fines, False Claims Act and government contractor fraud charges, or a combination of both.
Fundamental Bid Rigging Schemes Explained by a Procurement Fraud Defense Lawyer:
1. Bid Suppression: Under this scheme, certain competitors, possibly influenced by bid rigging, choose not to bid or retract an existing government bid, ensuring a predetermined bidder’s victory. Frequently, the ones refraining from bidding might receive a subcontract or compensation.
2. Complementary Bidding: A key area of concern for a procurement fraud defense lawyer, here, the co-conspirators, likely involved in bid rigging, present sham bids that are either too high or don’t meet bid criteria. Such “comp bids” are crafted to give a false impression of competition.
3. Bid Rotation: In the realm of bid rigging, this scheme sees all involved conspirators placing bids. However, through collusion, they cyclically take turns becoming the lowest bidder across multiple contracts.
4. Customer or Market Allocation: A classic strategy in bid rigging, co-conspirators split customers or regions among themselves. This means they either don’t bid or only offer complementary bids if the solicitation comes from an unassigned customer or region. This bid-rigging tactic is prevalent in the service sector, often focusing on quoted service prices instead of actual bids.
Subcontracting is frequently intertwined with bid rigging. Those competitors who refrain from bidding, or intentionally lose through rigged bids, often gain subcontracts or supply contracts from the winning bidder. In more intricate bid rigging setups, the lowest bidder might agree to retract their bid to benefit the next bidder, in return for a profitable subcontract, sharing the unfairly garnered higher profits. The crux of nearly all bid rigging stratagems is an accord among bidders, which sets the winning bidder beforehand, severely restricting or outright eradicating competition among the vendors involved.
Federal Clayton Act Lawyers
Federal prosecutors investigate and indict companies for price fixing on federal contracts by direct and indirect purchasers. Only direct purchasers are able to recover damages under federal law. In government contracting the federal government acts as the direct purchaser who purchased a good or service directly from a contractor that entered a price fixing agreement. Our Clayton Act defense lawyers and government contract fraud lawyers represent companies facing investigations, indictments or a criminal trial.
Why Government Contractors Need Specialized Defense Lawyers for Bid Rigging Cases?
1. Complexities of Government Contract Law: Government contracts are governed by a distinct set of laws and regulations that can be intricate. An attorney experienced in government contract law will understand these nuances, ensuring that the contractor’s defense is based on sound legal knowledge.
2. High Stakes and Severe Consequences: Being implicated in a bid rigging scandal can have devastating consequences for government contractors, including heavy fines, reputational damage, and even imprisonment. A skilled **government contractor fraud lawyer** can help navigate these treacherous waters, offering the best defense strategy.
3. Understanding the Bidding Process: Given the specialized nature of government procurement, defense lawyers with experience in this field will have an in-depth understanding of the bidding process, allowing them to identify and challenge any procedural or substantive anomalies that may arise during an investigation.
4. Strategic Negotiations: Facing a bid rigging indictment from the DOJ often involves negotiations with government agencies. A criminal defense attorney with government contract experience will be adept at negotiating with these entities, potentially leading to reduced penalties or even dropped charges.
How Our Government Contractor Fraud Lawyers Can Assist
Our team of government contractor fraud lawyers has vast experience and expertise in bid rigging and procurement fraud defense. We understand the unique challenges posed by such allegations, especially in the realm of government contracting. Here’s how we can help:
– Case Evaluation: We’ll meticulously review every facet of the case, from the procurement process and investigation to the specific allegations, ensuring we have a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Robust Defense Strategy: Leveraging our deep knowledge of government contract law, we’ll formulate a robust defense strategy, challenging any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
Negotiation and Settlement: Our seasoned attorneys excel in negotiations, potentially leading to favorable settlements, reducing penalties, or even securing case dismissals.
Guidance and Support: Facing a bid rigging fraud indictment can be daunting. Our lawyers provide constant guidance and support, ensuring that our clients are always informed and confident about the next steps.
In conclusion, the complexities of bid rigging fraud in government contracting necessitate specialized defense. Our government contractor fraud lawyers stand ready to provide expert legal assistance, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those facing such serious allegations. Call us today at 1.866.601.5518. Speak to the lead attorney. – Theodore Watson.