17 July 2025
(Photo: Depositphotos)
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has exposed collusion between two participants in public procurement in Odesa - entrepreneur Oleksandr Meradzhi and UkrSnab 2014 LLC.
According to the AMCU, the violation was detected during the analysis of the participation of the sole proprietor and the LLC in two simplified procurements announced by the educational institution, as well as in open tenders held by the utility company "Housing and Communal Service "Fontansky". The procurement was for construction materials worth an expected total of over UAH 4.3 million.
The Administrative Board of the Southern Interregional Territorial Department of the AMCU found that the bidders had coordinated their actions, which is a violation of antitrust law. The collusion led to a distortion of competition, contrary to the Law of Ukraine "On Public Procurement".
On July 16, 2025, UkrSnab 2014 was fined UAH 134.6 thousand. Entrepreneur Oleksandr Meradzhi had already ceased his business at the time of the decision.
The AMCU also reminded that, according to the law, bidders who have been held liable for misrepresenting tender results over the past three years may be excluded from participation in procurement.
Earlier, the AMCU exposed two private companies that colluded during capital repair tenders in Odesa region. They were ATRIY and Yuzhspetstrade during tenders for insulation of the facade of a house in Tairovo, repair of an outpatient clinic in Ryasnopol, overhaul of the school territory in Pivdenne and a sports ground in Hradenytsi. The tenders took place back in 2020. They were fined half a million hryvnias.
Also, a conspiracy was uncovered during the purchase of components for the Izmail seaport in Odesa region. The companies were fined more than UAH 2 million.
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