Kherson Ritual Service Awards ₴4.9M Contract Amid Procurement Audit

At the end of January, the Kherson Ritual Service held a tender to expand the memorial complex at the city's Geologists Cemetery. As a result of the tender, on February 10, a contract for UAH 4.9 million was signed with a private entrepreneur from Kherson, Vitaliy Kahalniak. After that, auditors drew attention to the agreement.

The State Audit Service announced the start of monitoring the procurement due to possible violations. According to the auditors, they had questions about the technical and quality characteristics of the procurement item, as well as the justification of the expected value of UAH 6 million.

In particular, the auditors asked for justification as to why this amount was determined, as well as why the procurement was classified as "Building stone", although in fact materials for the manufacture of memorial complexes (tombstones) are being purchased.

In addition, the auditors asked why Vitaliy Kahalniak was chosen as the winner, since he is not a stone producer, but only a supplier, which raises additional doubts about the legitimacy of the contractor's selection.

In response to the inquiries, Kherson Funeral Service noted that all information about the tender was publicly available on the website of Kherson City Council and explained that the expected value of the procurement was determined by comparing market prices based on three commercial offers. As for the procurement code, the service believes it is correct, as the memorials are made of granite.

In addition, Vitaliy Kahalniak provided a contract with L.I. Krasionova, a sole proprietor who is a manufacturer of granite slabs, which allegedly confirms the legitimacy of his participation in the tender.
The procurement audit is still ongoing, and the auditors continue their research.

Intent has already written that the KhersonCityRitual Service held an auction in the format of open bidding with special features for the purchase of memorial complexes for military personnel and persons who participated in hostilities. Three entrepreneurs came to the auction with their price offers.

• Vitaliy Viktorovych Kahalniak initially offered to produce the monuments for UAH 5.75 million, but then lowered the price to UAH 4.91 million.
• Valeriy Potapenko, sole proprietor, made a starting bid of UAH 5.9 million, and the final bid was UAH 4.91 million.
• Pastushok Oleksandr Volodymyrovych - did not change his offer and offered UAH 4.99 million.

As a result of the tender, the winner was Vitaliy Viktorovych Kahalniak. The client is currently awaiting the signing of an agreement with the contractor.

In September 2024, the Kherson funeral service had already announced an identical tender. At that time, its value was UAH 1.3 million.

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Ірина Глухова