4503 - Prohibited activities.
§ 4503. Prohibited activities. (a) Bid-rigging unlawful.--It is unlawful for any person to conspire, collude or combine with another in order to commit or attempt to commit bid-rigging involving: (1) A contract for the purchase of equipment, goods, services or materials or for construction or repair let or to be let by a government agency. (2) A subcontract for the purchase of equipment, goods, services or materials or for construction or repair with a prime contractor or proposed prime contractor for a government agency. (b) Simultaneous bids.--Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, it is not unlawful for the same person to simultaneously submit bids for the same work, or a portion thereof, as a proposed prime contractor and subcontractor. (c) Fines and imprisonment.--Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000,000 if an entity other than an individual or a fine of not more than $50,000 if an individual or to serve a term of imprisonment for not more than three years, or both. (d) Alternative civil penalty.--In lieu of criminal prosecution for violation of this section, the Attorney General may bring an action for a civil penalty. In this action, a person found by a court to have violated this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $100,000. (e) Disposition of fines and penalties.--Criminal fines and civil penalties collected under subsections (c) and (d) shall be paid into the State Treasury and deposited in the appropriate fund. (f) Factors to be considered in determining fines, imprisonment or civil penalties.--In determining the appropriate sanctions to be imposed for a violation of this section, the court shall consider at least the following three factors: (1) The prior record and the number of previous violations. (2) The net worth of the person. (3) The size and amount of the contract involved. (g) Civil action not barred.--A conviction or civil penalty imposed under this section shall not bar a government agency from pursuing additional civil action and administrative sanctions. (h) Limitation on prosecution.--No criminal prosecution under this section shall be brought against a person who has been previously charged by information or indictment with a criminal violation of the Federal antitrust laws, based upon the same allegedly unlawful conduct upon which a criminal prosecution under this chapter could be based, where jeopardy has attached under the Federal prosecution. Cross References. Section 4503 is referred to in sections 4504, 4505, 4508, 4509 of this title.