Which of the following methods might a procuring employee use to engage in a bid...

The correct answer is D. In a bid manipulation scheme, a procuring employee improperly influences the bidding process to benefit a favored contractor. One common method is restricting or eliminating legitimate competitors so the preferred vendor has a greater chance of winning. Disqualifying bids that were submitted correctly is a direct manipulation of the competitive process because it removes valid bidders without a proper basis. Charging impermissible costs is more closely related to cost mischarging. Using low-quality materials relates to nonconforming goods or services. Opening the bidding process at the designated time is a proper procurement activity, not fraud. The ACFE material explains that bid manipulation occurs when a corrupt procurement employee affects contractor selection by restricting competition.

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