Auctions Versus Negotiations in Procurement: An Empirical Analysis

31 Pages Posted: 15 Jan 2003

See all articles by Patrick Bajari

Patrick Bajari

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Robert Stanton McMillan

Cauchy Capital

Steven Tadelis

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 18, 2002

Abstract

Should the buyer of a customized good use competitive bidding or negotiation to select a contractor? To shed light on this question, we offer a framework that compares auctions with negotiations. We then examine a comprehensive data set of private sector building contracts awarded in Northern California during the years 1995-2000. The analysis suggests a number of limitations to the use of auctions. Auctions perform poorly when projects are complex and contractual design is incomplete. Furthermore, auctions stifle communication between buyers and the sellers, preventing the buyer from utilizing the contractor's expertise when designing the project. Some implications of these results for procurement in the public sector are discussed.

Keywords: auctions, negotiations, complexity, incomplete contracts, incentives, transaction costs

JEL Classification: D23, D82, H57, L14, L22, L74

Suggested Citation

Bajari, Patrick and McMillan, Robert Stanton and Tadelis, Steven, Auctions Versus Negotiations in Procurement: An Empirical Analysis (October 18, 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=342360 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.342360

Patrick Bajari

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - Department of Economics ( email )

611 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1220
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734-763-5319 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bajari/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Robert Stanton McMillan

Cauchy Capital

Steven Tadelis (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business ( email )

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2220 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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United States

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

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