AMCU Fines Andrii Sirba ₴68K for Anticompetitive Behavior in Odesa Tender

The Administrative Board of the Southern Interregional Territorial Department of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine recognized the actions of individual entrepreneurs Andrii Sirba and Denys Choba as anticompetitive and fined one of the entrepreneurs.

According to the AMCU press service, the entrepreneurs colluded during a public procurement conducted at the end of 2023 by the Department of Housing, Land Management and Property of the Teplodar City Council of Odesa District, Odesa Region.

The procurement included a contract for the overhaul of the kindergarten with an expected value of UAH 5 million 877 thousand.

"In the course of the case, the Office established a number of facts that indicate the coordinated behavior of the participants during their preparation and participation in the bidding," the antimonopoly officials said.

The AMCU fined Andriy Sirba UAH 68 thousand for violating competition law, while Denys Chobu avoided a fine because he stopped being a sole proprietor in 2024.

The procurement was held on January 7, 2023, and the entrepreneurs were the only participants. In the end, Andrii Syrba was recognized as the winner. However, on December 29, the results of the tender were canceled, arguing that the procurement costs were reduced. It was also noted then that due to the need to allocate funds for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the procurement was considered inappropriate.

In November 2024, the Antimonopoly Committee suspected two companies of collusion during the auction for the sale of the Izmail winery in Odesa region. On November 13, the case against Vega Agro Trade Plus and Grenderis (formerly Blackburn Trade Plus) was launched.

After a preliminary investigation, the Antimonopoly Committee found possible signs of concerted actions between these bidders, which may indicate a violation of competition.

Кирило Бойко