Middle Sub$-$Contractor made a bid to Carrie$lo{n}^{TM}$ S Contracting for $$150,000.$ There were three other bids that were lower than Middle$lo{n}^{TM}s,$ including one by Lowest Bidder for $$132,000.$ Carrie${}^{TM}$ s then contacts Middle who agrees to do the work for $$127,000$ if they are granted the sub$-$contract. Carrie$lo{n}^{TM}$ s enters into a contract with Middle.

This is bid shopping by Carrie$lo{n}^{TM}s$ and therefore illegal.

This is bid shopping that is considered by many as unethical, but in most states in considered legal.