Detecting collusion in procurement auctions

Abstract

The study aimed at detecting cartel collusion involved analyzing decisions of the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service and data on auctions. As a result, a machine learning model was developed that predicts with 91% accuracy the signs of collusion between bidders based on their history after dividing 40 auctions into test and training samples in a 30/70 ratio. Decomposition of the model using the Shepley vector allowed the interpretation of the decision-making process. The behavior of honest companies in auctions was also studied, confirmed by independent simulation validation.