An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) has identified potential irregularities in the public procurement contracts for renovations and architectural supervision at four cultural institutions under the Culture Ministry. The total value of these contracts nears EUR 5 million. The affected institutions include the Aleko Konstantinov State Satirical Theatre in Sofia, the Drama Theatre in Lovech, the Small City Theatre Behind the Canal in Sofia, and the National Educational Complex for Culture with a Lyceum for the Study of Italian Language and Culture (NUKK) in Sofia.
Daniela Peneva, a legal expert at the ACF, stated that the review of the tender procedures revealed multiple violations of tender conditions. She noted that email correspondence suggested rigged tenders with pre-selected contractors. Documentation analysis further showed that in five of the eight reviewed contracts, the winning companies lacked prior experience of a similar scope within the last five years, as mandated.
Additionally, one winning company failed to meet the financial criteria for the NUKK renovation. Further concerns arose from the Small City Theatre Behind the Canal tender, where the evaluation committee disqualified bidders for technical non-compliance after price proposals were already opened. The ACF review indicates that the contracts were awarded to Crypto Energy EOOD, Multi Stroi Comers EOOD, and D&D OOD, which share numerous documented links.
Specifically, Crypto Energy EOOD and Multi Stroi Comers EOOD are linked to the same individual, Petar Dyulgerov, and share a Sofia office address. Moreover, the same two individuals, Ivan Sotirov and Kristian Sotirov, appeared repeatedly as external experts advising on contract documentation and serving on evaluation committees. Evidence from a May 16, 2024, email allegedly showed that Dyulgerov’s company received key contract information for the Satirical Theatre in advance, violating the principle of equal treatment in the public procurement process.
The ACF will refer these identified irregularities concerning the contracts to the State Financial Inspection Agency and the Culture Ministry.
Topics: #public #procurement #contracts
