What does bid peddling refer to?

Bid peddling refers to an unethical situation where a subcontractor attempts to lower prices after a project has been awarded to another contractor. This practice undermines the competitive bidding process by creating an environment where awarded bidders feel pressured to cut their prices post-award, which can lead to unfair competition and potential issues with project quality and integrity.

In contrast, negotiating bid prices before selection is a normal part of the bidding process, while standard practices in competitive bidding do not include bid peddling, as it undermines fair competition. Furthermore, bid peddling is not a legal method of modifying contracts, as the integrity of the bidding process relies on transparency and fairness, which bid peddling violates. The focus should remain on fostering a bidding environment where contractors can compete fairly without the threat of post-award price manipulation.