Which of the following is a way that dishonest contractors collude to circumvent the bidding process?

• A. Use obscure publications to publish bid solicitations
• B. Submit invoices for work that was not performed or materials not delivered
• C. Submit token bids that are not serious attempts to win the contract
• D. Submit bids that are competitive in price

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how bidders can manipulate the process from within to avoid real competition. Submitting token bids means bidders put in bids that aren’t serious or realistic with no intent to win. This keeps up appearances of a competitive process while the outcome is prearranged among the colluding parties. It undermines the purpose of bidding—getting a fair, open competition—because other bidders waste time and resources, and the buyer can’t rely on genuine market prices.

Why this fits best: it directly describes a deceptive tactic aimed at circumventing the bidding system by creating fake competition, which is the essence of collusive bidding. The other options describe either post-bid fraud, typical legitimate bidding, or methods to exclude bidders, which don’t capture the collusive manipulation of the bidding process itself.