Tender for New Buses Suspended Amid Allegations of Corruption in Belgrade
GSP 'Belgrade' halts procurement process for CNG buses following multiple delays and claims of favoritism.
The tender for the purchase of 170 CNG solo buses by GSP 'Belgrade' has been suspended following the sixth postponement of the submission deadline for bids.
The decision came after accusations of favoritism towards a specific manufacturer, which prompted a request for protection of bidders' rights to be submitted to the Republic Commission for Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures.
The estimated value of the tender was set at 7.5 billion dinars excluding VAT, according to statements from four trade unions representing GSP employees.
The unions, namely Centar, Sloga, Pravda, and the Union of Employees in Public Transport of Belgrade, have raised concerns about potential corruption since the tender announcement.
They allege that the process appears tailored to favor the Chinese manufacturer Higer, pointing to irregularities in the procurement procedure.
In a statement, the unions expressed their alarm over the changes to the technical specifications and the requested descriptions of the buses during the tender process.
They highlighted that altering the specifications mid-tender to accommodate a specific bidder, extending delivery deadlines, and changing the financing method from operational leasing to a loan within two months of the tender announcement were unprecedented in previous public procurement scenarios for GSP.
The unions argued that the terms outlined in the tender could unduly benefit Higer while disadvantaging other manufacturers, such as globally recognized brands like MAN, Mercedes, Iveco, Solaris, Volvo, and Scania, which previously participated in tenders for GSP.
They accused city officials, who allegedly have not utilized public transport for years, of inappropriately influencing the tender process and called for qualified experts to make decisions based on merit and fair competition.
The unions have demanded that the Republic Commission act promptly in accordance with the law to ensure that the crucial procurement process is conducted transparently, inclusively, and in a way that fosters competition among bidders.
This, they contend, is essential for ensuring that citizens and GSP employees receive quality buses for their investment.
The decision came after accusations of favoritism towards a specific manufacturer, which prompted a request for protection of bidders' rights to be submitted to the Republic Commission for Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures.
The estimated value of the tender was set at 7.5 billion dinars excluding VAT, according to statements from four trade unions representing GSP employees.
The unions, namely Centar, Sloga, Pravda, and the Union of Employees in Public Transport of Belgrade, have raised concerns about potential corruption since the tender announcement.
They allege that the process appears tailored to favor the Chinese manufacturer Higer, pointing to irregularities in the procurement procedure.
In a statement, the unions expressed their alarm over the changes to the technical specifications and the requested descriptions of the buses during the tender process.
They highlighted that altering the specifications mid-tender to accommodate a specific bidder, extending delivery deadlines, and changing the financing method from operational leasing to a loan within two months of the tender announcement were unprecedented in previous public procurement scenarios for GSP.
The unions argued that the terms outlined in the tender could unduly benefit Higer while disadvantaging other manufacturers, such as globally recognized brands like MAN, Mercedes, Iveco, Solaris, Volvo, and Scania, which previously participated in tenders for GSP.
They accused city officials, who allegedly have not utilized public transport for years, of inappropriately influencing the tender process and called for qualified experts to make decisions based on merit and fair competition.
The unions have demanded that the Republic Commission act promptly in accordance with the law to ensure that the crucial procurement process is conducted transparently, inclusively, and in a way that fosters competition among bidders.
This, they contend, is essential for ensuring that citizens and GSP employees receive quality buses for their investment.
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