USGS Contractors Did Not Conspire To Manipulate Bidding Process

The OIG investigated an allegation that several minority-owned and small disadvantaged (8a) businesses may have coordinated their respective proposals to gain an unfair advantage in awards related to six contracts for technical support services at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). We found that these companies did not conspire to manipulate the bidding process as alleged. We found that the companies used the same consulting company to draft their respective proposals, which contained nearly identical language. The USGS ultimately did not accept any of the proposals. This is a summary of an investigative report we issued to the USGS Director.