Which act aims to deter subcontractors from making payments to procure favorable treatment in relation to contracts?

The Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 is designed to prevent corruption in federal government contracts by making it illegal for subcontractors to make payments or offer incentives to manipulate the procurement process in their favor. This act primarily focuses on addressing the issue of kickbacks in government contracts, thereby promoting fair competition and integrity in the process.

By prohibiting these practices, the act aims to ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit rather than through corrupt means, thereby protecting both the interests of taxpayers and the fairness of the bidding process. This is especially important in settings where public funds are involved, as unethical behavior can lead to inflated costs and reduced quality of services.

The subsequent acts from 1987 to 1989 build upon this foundation but the key intention of deterring subcontractor misbehaviors first appeared in the 1986 version, making it the crucial legislation in this context.