Alleged bid-rigging
The complaint by European Dynamics was transferred to OLAF, which sent it to the EPPO for investigation for “potential criminal elements for which the EPPO is competent to investigate,” according to several officials with knowledge of the case.
As well as the telecommunications companies, raids took place at the IT and software companies Byte, Uni Systems, Netcompany-Intrasoft, Space Hellas, Cosmos Business Systems and the two consulting companies Toolbox and Active.
OLAF did not respond to POLITICO’s specific questions. Its press office said: “OLAF does not usually issue comments on cases it may or may not be treating in order to protect the confidentiality of any possible investigations and of possible ensuing judicial proceedings, as well as to ensure respect for personal data and procedural rights. “
According to an European Court of Auditors report in 2021, some 42.4 percent of public contracts in Greece were awarded where there was only one offer. In 2011, 15 percent of contracts only received one bid.
The percentage of single bidding tenders in countries with similar populations, like Portugal, Belgium and Czech Republic, was 31.6 percent, 27.1 percent and 47.8 percent respectively.
The argument often used by business officials is that the pattern of one-bid tenders is because of hundreds of tender opportunities being open. Companies do not have enough resources to participate in every one.
