HISTORICAL BACKGROUND - LOW BID CONCEPT

This paper discusses New York State's experience with competitive bidding, the problems that have been encountered, and the possibilities that exist for reform. In conclusion, it is pointed out that the competitive (low-bid) concept will be difficult to overcome, but that a way must be found that demonstrates (1) that government officials can be good administrators and can be innovative in getting the best quality and performance for the dollar spent and (2) that the good of the general public can be substituted for the profit motive to obtain the results that the public really desires.