The successful actions of the U.S. Department of Justice in the 1970s focused on which topic?

The focus of the U.S. Department of Justice in the 1970s primarily centered on competing bidding practices, particularly in the context of ensuring fair competition and preventing collusion among contractors. During this time, there was significant concern about anti-competitive practices in public contracting, especially in industries such as engineering and construction.

The Department implemented measures to investigate and prosecute instances of bid rigging and other unethical practices that suppressed competition and led to inflated costs for public projects. This emphasis on bidding practices was part of a broader push for regulatory reforms to enhance market fairness and transparency, ultimately reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct in engineering and contracting.

The other options do not align with the historical focus of the Department of Justice during that period. While legality in engineering contracts and codes of ethics are important topics, the spotlight on competing bidding practices was particularly prominent in the 1970s as the government sought to curb corruption and promote honest dealings in the bidding process.