OPINION

Much ado about…

It is unclear if the case in question falls under the category of lack of transparency and corruption – which generally defines most tenders, procurements and assignments of public works – or whether it belongs to a broader category of the general chaos characterizing any activities conducted within the public sector. What is certain is that it acts as a prime example of «how things are done» in the public sector and what level of faith someone embarking on cooperative project should have. I am referring to a recent Health Ministry tender for a firm to improve the efficiency of 15 large state hospitals across the country. A total of four prospective candidates submitted their bids in the 7.5-million-euro tender. One of the bids was immediately rejected because the consortium in question had submitted its financial and technical details as part of one application rather than in two separate files – as the official procedure dictates. The consortium appealed against the move but had its appeal overturned by the ministry. It then appealed against the ministry’s decision to overturn its appeal – and was once more rebuked. The excluded bidder ultimately decided not to file an injunction and wrote to the ministry asking for its application – and letter of guarantee from its bank – to be returned.

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