Which controls help ensure integrity in district procurement?

• A. Vendor secrecy.
• B. Conflict-of-interest controls.
• C. No audits.
• D. Personal discretion.

Answer: (B)

Maintaining integrity in district procurement hinges on preventing personal interests from shaping buying decisions. Conflict-of-interest controls address this directly by requiring disclosures of potential conflicts, mandating recusals when a staff member has a stake in a supplier, and ensuring independent review of bids and contracts. These steps create accountability, reduce opportunities for favoritism, and help ensure that procurements are fair, transparent, and compliant with policies and laws.

Other options undermine integrity: keeping vendors secret reduces transparency and can hide improper arrangements; skipping audits removes a crucial check on compliance and performance; and allowing personal discretion invites bias and favoritism, eroding fairness and due process.