What could be a sign of discrimination in the bidding process?

The choice highlighting prequalifying some bidders on a discriminatory basis accurately reflects a practice that can signal discrimination in the bidding process. This occurs when certain bidders are selectively chosen for qualification based on criteria that are not objective or are unfairly biased. Such discrimination undermines the principle of fair competition and can lead to the exclusion of qualified vendors solely based on arbitrary or prejudicial characteristics.

In a transparent and equitable procurement process, all potential bidders should be evaluated on standardized criteria that apply uniformly, ensuring that no group is unfairly favored or disadvantaged. This approach fosters a level playing field, encouraging a wider array of bidders to compete and ultimately leading to better outcomes for the procurement entity.