Vendors should ask questions and be thoroughly involved in large multi-million dollar contracts. This will help keep the bidding process and contract as transparent as possible and ensure that everyone is treated as a potential client.

Recently, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) has awarded more than $1 billion in contracts that were not competitively bid from 2003-2008. According to state records, nearly $246.3 million worth of no-bid contracts have already been approved by the Department of General Services for 2008. These exorbitant numbers have outraged and stirred up controversy within the state primarily due to a recent no-bid contract that was awarded to the governor's former law firm totaling $400 million.

This is a perfect example of the need for tighter purchasing laws and transparency within State governments. It is too often that we see special interests and politics get in the way of day-to-day bureaucratic business. In a time of economic downfall, it is the utmost necessity to save the tax-payers money and cut costs. These no-bid contracts keep the tax-payers in the dark and do not allow them to see the potential cost of a project.

The good news is that legislation is being written within the state that would prevent a governor from awarding contracts over $100,000 without greater scrutiny. This will ensure that multi-million dollar projects are awarded to the best and most qualified vendor. While this may expand the procurement process and take more time, it will make certain that special interests and politics are held at bay.