Quote:
Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford
I'm surprised that people are surprised by the "rigged bidding system"
This happens everywhere with RFPs - customers have their preferred suppliers, work with them to insert products and wording to allow their preferred supplier to win.
Happens all the time in all industries.
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Apples to oranges as this isn't an industry it's public usage. If the government has decided on a specific brand they should have to explain why that brand was chosen and what advantages it offers the populace over other brands. As for RFP's for companies there are many reasons that preferred suppliers are used in industry none that would apply to this;
- Company Preference. This is what they use, it works and they see no reason to change. Many decision makers for big companies are scared to death of trying a new product because if it doesn't work as well they are left to answer the bell for that decision.
- Existing facilities use this product and they don't want to stock spare parts for multiple different manufacturer items. Overhead costs are always a big consideration.
- Few companies can meet the companies strict specifications and in their experience products from other vendors are not as reliable.
- Training for employees. New products require new training which can cost $$$.
- Somebody high up in the company is chummy with a salesman for company X.
Since a bulb is a bulb and they all fit the same fixtures so there's nothing about these Ecofitt bulbs (there are other items such as shower heads that would be lower quantity) that separate them from any name brand offering. In fact I'm willing to bet they aren't even the best bulbs available in terms of longevity and/or light pattern, etc. It's pretty obvious that there are some shenanigans going on here.