Odesa Port Overpaid Millions for Insulation of Motor Depot

The Odesa port ordered thermal modernization of the motor depot for more than 22 million, although some materials cost half the price on the market. The cheaper competitor was rejected due to formal errors in the documentation, and the possible overpayment may exceed one and a half million hryvnias.

This was reported by Nashi Hroshi with reference to the Prozorro procurement system.

On August 11, the Odesa Commercial Sea Port SE signed a contract with Interior Group LLC for the thermal modernization of the motor depot for UAH 22.61 million. The works are to be completed in five months after a 40% advance payment (UAH 9.04 million). The project involves replacing windows and doors, reinforcing and insulating walls, repairing the roof, water supply and sewerage, and installing a solar system.

According to the tender documents, the contract price is fixed, without indexation for inflation. The project was developed by Lev Hembarsky, a private entrepreneur, and the expert opinion, including the cost estimate, was provided by First Construction Expertise.

SCREENSHOT: Prozorro

An analysis of the estimate showed that some materials were purchased at much higher prices than market prices. For example, Ceresit CN 178 mix was ordered at 33 UAH/kg, although it can be bought at 24-25 UAH/kg; Izovat 145 basalt slabs 50 mm thick were priced at 10,436 UAH/cubic meter, while in stores the prices are 4-5 thousand UAH; Baumit MVR UNI plaster was taken at 22 UAH/kg, while the market price is 13-16 UAH/kg. The possible overpayment on these items exceeds UAH 1.5 million.

The cheaper competitor, Berg Group from Kherson, was rejected due to errors in the tender documentation: there were no certificates of equipment, documents on employees and other confirmations.

To participate in the tender, it was required to have experience in major repairs or thermal modernization with CC2 class facilities, as well as relevant certificates.

SCREEN SHOT: Our Money

The port director is Oleksii Myaskovskyi, and the authorized person for procurement is Andrii Poroshenko. "Interior Group was founded in 2022 by Yevgeny Chelak from Bolgrad, who also owns Stroytekhproekt-11. Since April, Interior Group has received state orders worth UAH 39.68 million, all from the port of Odesa.

Meanwhile, the Odesa branch of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced an open tender for the reconstruction of berth 7 of the Odesa port with a budget of UAH 540 million. The winner of the multimillion-dollar contract will be announced in late August.

Анна Бальчінос