Criticism for illegal direct awards
Stockholm’s company for school properties, SISAB, has been criticised by the Swedish Competition Authority for not having published a contract notice for the procurement of car pool services, during a period extending over several years. The agreements have comprised amounts of several million Swedish crowns, which is far above the limit for a direct award of contract.
During a period of six years, SISAB (Skolfastigheter i Stockholm AB) directly awarded contracts for car pool services in an illegal manner. By not exposing the procurement processes to competition through the publication of a contract notice, alternative suppliers have been denied the opportunity to submit tenders.
Between 2011 and 2016, SISAB awarded direct contracts for car pool services worth more than SEK five million. The limit for direct awards was exceeded for each of these years.
“The publication of a contract notice gives a number of suppliers the opportunity to submit tenders. This increases the possibility that the best contract, offered at the best price, will win. The taxpayers are the winners when the rules are followed”, says Karin Lunning, Acting Director General of the Swedish Competition Authority.
“The illegal awards in question have been going on for a period of six years. This is something we take very seriously”, adds Karin Lunning.
Because the actual legal infringements took place more than one year ago, the Swedish Competition Authority is not able to refer the matter to the courts in order to demand the imposition of procurement fines.
Last updated: 2021-05-10
Press release12 may 2017