Antitrust Policy Statement of Associated Builders and Contractors

Federal laws and many state laws prohibit contracts, combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade and unfair competition.

ABC will not condone, by any means, the entering into or the suggestion of entering into any arrangements or understandings that restrain trade or competition, or by any collusive acts that can be interpreted as seeking such ends.

We strongly urge all members to be aware that any such activities violate these laws.

We specifically call attention to unlawful practices such as the following:

1. Boycotting of firms or products through management agreements.
2. “Courtesy" bidding -- agreeing to price bid to the advantage of any individual firm.
3. Agreements to fix wages or prices.
4. Promotion of bid depositories with penalties for violations.
5. Agreement upon so-called bid preparation fees to be shared among competitive bidders.
6. Agreements to use exclusively any materials, supplies or services.
7. Limitation of markets -- to type, geography, size or similar carve-outs.
8. Any agreements to prevent access to markets or supplies.

As an association, we condemn such actions and urge our members to be aware that such violations not only contravene the basic principles of the Merit Shop espoused by our Association, but can entail heavy criminal and civil penalties.