When rivals team up in procurement: Does it distort competition?

Jan Bouckaert, Geert Van Moer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to offer insights to courts and competition authorities on how to assess horizontal agreements to team up in a procured project. We argue that agreements that are specified in advance of bidding should be evaluated against the counterfactual whereby firms negotiate subcontracts after bidding has ended. Following this approach, we challenge the commonly held viewpoint that joint bidding distorts competition if the bidding consortium members could each bid solo. We also question the need for bidding consortium members to integrate their operations.
Original languageEnglish
Article number106201
Peer-reviewed scientific journalConcurrences Review
Volume2022
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)58-65
ISSN1773-9578
Publication statusPublished - 05.2022
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article - refereed

Keywords

  • 511 Economics
  • anticompetitive practices
  • public procurement
  • joint tender submission
  • bid rigging
  • agreement (notion)

Areas of Strength and Areas of High Potential (AoS and AoHP)

  • AoS: Competition economics and service strategy - Quantitative consumer behaviour and competition economics

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