What is the primary purpose of competitive contracting?

The primary purpose of competitive contracting is to procure specialized goods or services through the solicitation of bids. This process allows public entities to obtain high-quality services or products while ensuring fairness and transparency in the service selection. Competitive contracting is particularly useful for complex procurements where factors other than price, such as service quality, expertise, and project approach, play a critical role in the selection process.

In a competitive contracting framework, the public agency solicits proposals from potential suppliers, allowing them to evaluate various offers comprehensively before making an informed decision. This method helps in achieving the best value for the public while fostering healthy competition among vendors. This contrasts with simply awarding contracts based on the lowest bid, which might not always meet the specific needs of the project.