What is the ruling on bidding in the aforementioned government tender, and is the money earned from it considered lawful? What about using personal connections in this regard? Is it permissible for the participant to pay off his debt with this money? What is the ruling on continuing with such projects in the future?

The act of an employee informing a contractor of the best price to win a tender is forbidden and a breach of trust. Any money obtained as a result of this is ill-gotten (suht) and invalid. It is forbidden for the employee to take it, whether it was stipulated or given without stipulation. The employee is obligated to return it to the state treasury. If that is not possible, it should be spent for the general welfare of Muslims. This is supported by the hadith of Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah in Sahih Al-Bukhari, and by fatwas concerning gifts to officials and bribery. Furthermore, it is not permissible to deal with this employee or an intermediary between you, as this falls under bribery and forbidden gifts to officials. Whoever takes any of this forbidden money must dispose of it by giving it to the poor and needy, or by spending it for the general welfare of Muslims. It should not be returned to the contractor so as not to combine the money with the forbidden compensation, unless the contractor is in need, in which case they may take from it only what they need.