For Contractors

Procurement corruption is more than common you think...

 

Contractors play a critical role in delivering public services—and are often the first to recognize when procurement processes are not being followed as required. CLEAR provides a responsible, independent avenue for contractors to raise concerns about public contracting without being forced into formal protests or risking retaliation.

 

With over 100 years of combined public-sector experience, the CLEAR team brings a deep, practical understanding of how government purchasing actually works—from the inside. 

 

We don’t just know the rules—we know how they are applied, misapplied, and sometimes ignored.

What kinds of concerns can Contractors report?

  • Bid rigging, sham competition, or predetermined outcomes

  • Conflicts of interest or insider advantages involving decision-makers or vendors

  • Improper sole-source, no-bid, or noncompetitive awards

  • Biased, restrictive, or tailored solicitation language that limits fair competition

  • Irregularities in evaluation or scoring, including inconsistent application of criteria

  • Failure to post complete or relevant award details on the public online bidding platform after contract award

  • Unexplained or suspect changes to scope, pricing, criteria, or timelines before or after award

  • Failure to follow procurement policies, ordinances, or applicable law

  • Post-award contract changes that materially alter the original solicitation or pricing

  • Retaliation, exclusion, or informal blacklisting for raising concerns, asking questions, or filing protests

  • Being discouraged—explicitly or implicitly—from competing, protesting, or seeking clarification

You do not need to file a formal protest to contact CLEAR, and you do not need to have definitive proof to raise a concern.  You do not need proof of illegality to reach out. Reasonable concerns about fairness, transparency, or process integrity are sufficient.

Have more questions?  Keep reading...

We Understand Where Procurement Breaks Down

Because we’ve worked inside government procurement, we understand:

  • How solicitations are supposed to be fair, transparent, and competitive

  • Where ambiguity in scopes, scoring, or timelines can disadvantage contractors

  • How conflicts of interest, favoritism, or retaliation can distort outcomes

  • How informal direction, undocumented changes, or internal pressure can undermine integrity

  • Why contractors are often discouraged from asking questions or challenging irregularities

Many vendors lose opportunities not because they are unqualified—but because the process itself failed. 

When the process feels off, it usually is.

How CLEAR works with Contractor information

CLEAR approaches contractor information carefully and strategically. When contractors reach out, we may:

  • Review procurement records, solicitations, evaluations, and award documentation

  • Analyze applicable procurement policies, ordinances, and legal requirements

  • Identify whether concerns reflect isolated errors or broader process failures

  • Use public records requests to independently verify information

  • Assess appropriate escalation paths, including internal oversight, external agencies, or public accountability channels

Addressing Fear of Retaliation or Blacklisting

CLEAR understands that contractors often hesitate to speak up due to concerns about protests, reputational harm, or future opportunities. We offer options to share information:

  • On the record – You choose to identify yourself and work openly with CLEAR.
  • Confidential – Your identity is known to CLEAR but protected from disclosure.
  • Anonymous – You provide information without revealing who you are.

Where possible, CLEAR works through records-based review and policy analysis, reducing the need for contractors to place themselves directly in conflict with awarding agencies.

CLEAR was built for you.

Important Clarifications

  • CLEAR does not represent or report to any government entity.

  • CLEAR does not advocate for contractors to receive or retain contracts.

  • CLEAR does not intervene in award decisions or procurement outcomes.

CLEAR’s role is to ensure procurement processes comply with policies, ordinances, and the law—and that public contracting is conducted fairly, transparently, and in the public interest.

Information provided to CLEAR is handled responsibly, assessed for credibility and documentation, and used solely for accountability, oversight, or advocacy purposes consistent with our mission.