Vendors and suppliers may not, directly or indirectly, offer, pay, promise or authorize the payment of any money or thing of value to any government official, including any employee or agent of a government-owned or government-controlled business, for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such government official, in his/her official capacity; inducing such government official to do or omit doing any act in violation of the lawful duty of such official; securing any improper advantage; or inducing such government official to use his/her influence in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business.