Certified Texas Contract Manager Practice Exam

What action should be taken to avoid the appearance of special favors when using public funds?

1. Continue all communications with vendors

2. Cease communications once solicitation-drafting starts

3. Invite vendors to submit proposals

4. Report any concerns to the State Auditor's Office

The correct answer is: Cease communications once solicitation-drafting starts

The recommended action to avoid the appearance of special favors when using public funds is to cease communications once solicitation-drafting starts. This approach helps ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement process. By limiting interactions with vendors during the critical phase of drafting solicitations, the potential for any undue influence or the perception of favoritism is minimized. This action aligns with best practices in public procurement, which emphasize equal treatment of all vendors and avoiding any circumstances that might lead to questions regarding the integrity of the process. Ongoing communications with vendors, inviting proposals, or reporting concerns, while important in their contexts, do not address the specific issue of maintaining integrity during the solicitation phase. Inviting vendors to submit proposals occurs after solicitation-drafting and is thus outside the scenario's focus of maintaining impartiality during the drafting process.