Infotech, a leader in infrastructure construction software solutions and expert statistical and econometric consulting services, announced that its two businesses supported a record-breaking antitrust settlement in West Virginia which recovered taxpayer dollars totaling $101.35 million.
In the late 1970s, Infotech developed computerized techniques to assess fairness in competitive markets. These same techniques were used to support the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) to assess bidding activity among a small group of contractors when price fixing was suspected. Through Infotech’s DOT agency services and Infotech Consulting’s expert statistical analysis, the company was able to support the state of West Virginia in reaching this settlement, which was the largest single-state antitrust settlement in West Virginia history.
“Price fixing raises prices at the taxpayer’s expense; discovering and proving this activity is at our core,” Will McClave said, Infotech Systems President. “Infotech has been building and using software to detect collusion since our first major antitrust case in 1981, which resulted in a then-record $30 million in settlements for a bid-rigging case. Throughout our history, our goal has been to pursue truth in the data and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.”
One way state agencies can support a fair bidding process is through electronic bidding. WVDOT adopted Infotech’s secure online bidding service, Bidx.com®, in 2009.
“Many of you may remember back in 2013 when I instituted the state’s new competitive bidding policy for how outside counsel are paid,” West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said. “Well, we now have saved over $30 million through that policy. Why? Because the state gets the benefit of competitive bidding. Over $20 million saved on this case alone. That’s an awesome thing. That means we have good government, we have competition and we’re actually saving taxpayer money.”
“Our settlement will go a long way to restore competition and recoup road funds to the benefit of every taxpayer who pays for and drives West Virginia’s roads,” Morrisey continued. “We can never afford to allow an unlawful monopoly to victimize West Virginia and maximize its profits on the backs of state taxpayers, especially when every dollar is needed to pave our roads and compete effectively with other states for business and tourism.”
To learn more about Infotech’s online bidding platforms, visit https://www.infotechinc.com/bidding. To learn more about Infotech Consulting’s expert statistical and econometric consulting services, visit infotechconsulting.com. To learn more about the settlement, visit the official West Virginia announcement.
About Infotech
Info Tech, Inc., DBA Infotech (Infotech) bridges innovation and integrity by developing cutting-edge digital solutions for the infrastructure construction industry and providing expert statistical and econometric consulting services across multiple industries. Infotech’s two core businesses, Infotech Systems and Infotech Consulting, use technology and data to bring transparency, integrity and efficiency to the people we serve. Informed by DOT relationships and decades of experience, Infotech Systems develops software solutions that bridge the gaps between owners, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders. Infotech is the developer of Appia®, Bid Express®, and Doc Express®, as well as the official contractor for AASHTOWare Project™. For more information on our SaaS offerings, visit infotechinc.com. For more information about our expert consulting services, visit infotechconsulting.com.