Gov. Tom Corbett evoked justifiable concerns by the lack of transparency in how his administration reached an agreement with a company from the United Kingdom to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery.

State residents should question the way the administration handled a contract for management of the state’s website infrastructure and technology.

Increasingly, it appears Corbett believes that only one branch of the state government matters — his — the executive branch. And, more troubling is the fact that some of his methods raise serious questions about whether the state is getting the best, lowest-cost deal available.

While the status of the lottery contract is well known — Attorney General Kathleen Kane shot down the deal as initially written — it seems clear that more information about the website contract needs to be known for public scrutiny.

Unfortunately, there’s been no indication of any willingness by Corbett to openly discuss the contract, beyond providing cursory information.

The administration has pooh-poohed a lawmaker’s concern about the no-bid website pact, saying the company involved — a subsidiary of Kansas-based NIC — is the only company in the country that does what it does.

But the lawmaker who has complained about the contract — Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver — cited a statement by NIC in its 2013 annual report to investors that it faces “intense competition” in all sectors of its business.

Corbett owes Matzie and Keystone State taxpayers an explanation.

The website contract represents only a tiny segment of state spending. However, coupled with the now-on-hold lottery deal, a troubling pattern of how the administration operates has been brought to light.

In reaction to the questions Matzie has raised, NIC said it was comfortable with what is referred to as a sole-source agreement because of the commonwealth’s “thorough research and justification process” and a period that was allowed for public comment.

It was hardly public knowledge that any such pact was being contemplated. Meanwhile, no local lawmaker has come forward to support the administration’s decision to enter into a no-bid deal.

This pact under Corbett is reminiscent of former Gov. Ed Rendell’s penchant for giving no-bid work to his former Philadelphia law firm.

Advertising for bids is the best way for government to enter into contracts. Corbett needs to start adhering to that approach.

There’s no reason to question NIC’s ability to do its job well, but before awarding the contract the administration should have thrown open the contract to anyone wishing to bid.

The bidding process helps save money.

NIC reportedly has contracts with 28 other states, but Pennsylvania is the only state that entered into such a contract under a sole-source agreement.

Besides that, no information has been made public about the fees to be charged under the pact and how much of those fees will be going to NIC.

Like the administration’s secrecy surrounding the lottery contract, the administration’s tactic regarding the website pact is contrary to the level of transparency necessary in all units of government.

That must change.