84.43—Competition.
All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. The recipient shall be alert to organizational conflicts of interest as well as noncompetitive practices among contractors that may restrict or eliminate competition or otherwise restrain trade. In order to ensure objective contractor performance and eliminate unfair competitive advantage, contractors that develop or draft specifications, requirements, statements of work, invitations for bids and/or requests for proposals shall be excluded from competing for such procurements. Awards shall be made to the bidder or offeror whose bid or offer is responsive to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the recipient, price, quality and other factors considered. The other factors shall include the bidder's or offeror's compliance with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u ), hereafter referred to as “ Section 3.” Section 3 provides that, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing Federal, State, and local laws, and regulations, economic opportunities generated by certain HUD financial assistance shall be directed to low- and very low-income persons. Solicitations shall clearly set forth all requirements that the bidder or offeror shall fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the recipient. Any and all bids or offers may be rejected when it is in the recipient's interest to do so.