First, if this is a commerical account they can buy at whatever price. If this is a state account, I don't know Montana purchasing laws but in NY the account must purchase off the lowest responsible bid. This interpretation is a little vague. You could be the lowest bidder but lose the deal because of bad service history with the account. Second, if you protest the account can throw out the hold bid and rewrite you out of it next time.
Last but not lease it ssounds like the canon rep pre-sold the account before you.
Good Luck next time.