Yes, sorry, I misspoke (edit: actually, I think you misspoke in your previous comment, and then I copied the mistake).

But no, the fourth contractor did not submit a bid at a higher price. They did not submit a bid at all.

Ah yes, indeed I did.

I see your point too. Essentially, rather than contractors proposing prices and then clients accepting or moving on, if clients propose prices and then contractors accept or move on, it's still a market with negotiated rates.