An investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) has flagged potential irregularities concerning the awarding of public procurement contracts at four cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture. The contracts, totaling nearly EUR 5 million, involve renovations and architectural supervision at facilities including the Aleko Konstantinov State Satirical Theatre and the National Educational Complex for Culture (NUKK) in Sofia. ACF legal expert Daniela Peneva stated that a review of the tender procedures revealed multiple violations of tender conditions.
The analysis of the documentation showed that in five of the eight contracts reviewed, the winning companies lacked the required five years of experience with a similar scope of work. Furthermore, procedural flaws were noted, such as an evaluation committee disqualifying bidders after price proposals had already been opened. The ACF review identified recurring links between the awarded entities—Crypto Energy EOOD, Multi Stroi Comers EOOD, and D&D OOD.
Two of the winning firms are associated with the same individual, Petar Dyulgerov, and share office locations. A significant concern involves potential conflicts of interest, as two lawyers, Ivan Sotirov and Kristian Sotirov, were repeatedly involved as external experts preparing contract documentation and serving on evaluation committees. A specific email communication from May 16, 2024, regarding the Satirical Theatre’s contract suggested that internal documentation was shared with Crypto Energy EOOD days before the contract was publicly awarded.
Peneva characterized this as a clear violation of the principle of equal treatment in the public procurement process. The ACF has forwarded its findings on these procurement contracts to the State Financial Inspection Agency and the Culture Ministry
Topics: #public #procurement #contracts
