Which of the following is a common method used in government contracting for soliciting bids?

Sealed bidding is a widely recognized and commonly used method in government contracting for soliciting bids. In this process, interested contractors submit their proposals in sealed envelopes, which are then opened at a specific time and date in a public setting. This method ensures transparency and fairness in the bidding process, as it limits the potential for manipulation and allows for all bids to be considered simultaneously.

Sealed bidding is particularly effective for projects where the specifications are well-defined, and the contract is awarded to the lowest responsive bidder. This aligns with the government’s objectives of obtaining the best value while maintaining the integrity of the contracting process.

In contrast, while direct proposals, open negotiations, and informal inquiries can be utilized in certain contexts, they do not offer the same level of standardization and transparency as sealed bidding, making them less common for formal government solicitations.