Final answer:
The question addresses whether bid-rigging in the need recognition phase involves tailoring needs to a specific supplier, which is 1. true. Bid-rigging is an unethical practice that distorts the competitive bidding process to favor a pre-chosen party.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks if the typical bid-rigging scheme during the need recognition phase of the contract negotiation process involves defining a "need" that can only be met by a certain supplier or contractor. This is indeed true. Bid-rigging refers to any situation where competitors agree in advance who will win a bid.
During the need recognition phase, certain details and specifications for a service or product can be manipulated to favor a particular supplier or contractor, effectively ensuring that they will be the only party able to satisfy the criteria set out in the proposal and, as a result, are likely to win the bid.
For example, if a government body requires a new piece of software and the specifications are written in a way that only one supplier's software can meet those requirements, it is likely that the bid has been rigged to ensure that the supplier will win. This is unethical and in many jurisdictions, illegal, as it distorts the normal competitive bidding process and often leads to higher costs and suboptimal outcomes for the buyer.
In conclusion, the statement posed in the question is correct: bid-rigging often involves defining project needs in a way that can only be satisfied by a pre-selected supplier or contractor.