We must all make certain that we do not furnish information to one firm that might give the appearance of an advantage, or favorable treatment, as compared to other potential respondents. We also wish to avoid potential vendor criticism or protests that might delay a contract award recommendation. Any oral communications are considered unofficial and non-binding. State law also provides that it is a criminal offense for any vendors to offer, promise, or give anything of value or benefit with the intent to influence an employee or agent s acts, opinion, judgment, or exercise of discretion in regard to a competitive procurement process.
Additional statutes prohibit kickbacks and bribery.
Finally, state officials and their agents are prohibited from disclosing bid information after it is received except in accordance with normal public disclosure upon opening sealed bids or proposals. There are also further prohibitions on disclosing confidential, proprietary or trade secret information designated by the vendor in submitting a proposal, which might give advantage to one bidder over others. For the reasons cited above, it is important to centralize coordination of the procurement process and subsequent communications with vendors through the University of Illinois Purchasing Division and in consultation with the University Counsel s Office.