%0 Journal Article %T EL DERECHO DE LA COMPETENCIA COMO MECANISMO PARA GARANTIZAR RIVALIDAD EN LAS LICITACIONES P¨˛BLICAS E IMPULSAR EL CRECIMIENTO ECON¨ŽMICO %A Serrano-Pinilla %A Felipe %J International Law %D 2011 %I Pontificia Universidad Javeriana %X public bidding is a common mechanism used by states to promote competition in public procurement. however, the competition generated by public bidding may be blocked by two anticompetitive practices: collusion and corruption. two different problems with a common effect: that the public contract will not be awarded on the basis of merit or efficiency, thereby affecting competitiveness. this paper analyzes the tools available for the colombian competition agency for fighting collusion and corruption in public bids. we highlight the importance of strategic assistance to public agencies by the competition office at the moment of designing and executing the bidding process, in accordance with international recommendations. %K competition law %K public tenders %K bid rigging %K corruption inpublic tenders %K design of the tendering process %K government procurement %K economic growth %K competitiveness %K competition law %K bid rigging %K corruption in public tenders. %U http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1692-81562011000200006&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en