What type of information cannot be made public by contracting officers?

The correct answer is that information providing discriminatory advantage to private interests cannot be made public by contracting officers. This is rooted in the principles of fairness and transparency in contracting processes. Discriminatory advantage refers to information that, if disclosed, could benefit certain private entities over others, undermining the competitive bidding process and potentially leading to favoritism or unfair practices.

Maintaining confidentiality around such sensitive information ensures a level playing field for all participants in the contracting process. Government contracting aims to promote fair competition, thus safeguarding the integrity of the procurement process is paramount. By not disclosing information that could provide an unfair edge to specific contractors, contracting officers uphold ethical standards and adherence to regulations that govern competitive bidding.

Other types of information listed, such as details on contracts awarded, results of competitions, and publicly available market data, do not fall under this category of restricted information. These elements are typically available to the public and promote transparency in government dealings, contributing to accountability and trust in the procurement system.