Suspicious purchase of helicopters by the Ministry of the Interior: The direct order is also objected to by the ÚVO! Why doesn’t Mikulec want to retreat?
It all started a few weeks ago, when the government approved it at its meeting purchase helicopters for the Ministry of the Interior. From the July 20 document, the new machine is that they want to replace one older machine with two new ones. Currently, the resort has two squadrons, namely two Russian Mi-171 and one Bell 429, which are primarily used by the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Mountain and Rescue Service. And he decided to replace the Russian machines. They argue for their plans by the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February this year and the sanctions imposed on the country and President Vladimir Putin, which, according to the department, could threaten the guarantee of maintaining the airworthiness of available helicopters. Therefore, according to the ministry, it was necessary to immediately ensure their replacement. They want to do this for quick targeted interventions to protect the lives, health and property of citizens.
Archive VIDEO The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic is to replace two Russian helicopters, the price is estimated at 25 million euros, the government still has to negotiate the final proposal
Therefore, the department submitted a proposal to the government for the purchase of two driven Italian helicopters AW189 and AW139. However, they did not follow the path of the traditional transparent tender process, but directly with the order, which they defended precisely because of the situation in Ukraine and you need a quick provision of new machines. The aviation department of the Ministry therefore made an offer on the market and evaluated the best offer with regard to delivery time, offered price and characteristics.
“The AW189 and AW139 helicopters are immediately available and come closest to the performance and capacity parameters of the Mi-171E being replaced. Since helicopters are made to order and not in stock, approaching an aviation equipment dealer was a key and necessary step to ensure the maximum chance of obtaining the aircraft equipment as quickly as possible, which is also proven by the results of the market research.” the ministry defends its actions. According to them, the sellers, beyond the scope of the requirements, undertook to register in the register of public sector partners, which transparently shows the final advantage of the European Commission, and at the same time they undertake to accept the inspection of the European Commission in the event that aircraft technology is reimbursed from the commission’s resources in the future.
Objections to the ÚVO
However, another company wanted to participate in the process and offered not two, but three helicopters for the price. However, the ministry was not interested in this offer and wanted to go the route of two Italian helicopters according to the original plan. The company therefore turned to the Public Procurement Office to check whether the Ministry’s actions were correct. The fact that one of the participants objected to the process and the purchase is subject to inspection by the ÚVO was also confirmed by the department itself. “The Ministry of the Interior is aware that the extension may put pressure on the price, but hopes that the proceedings at the Public Procurement Office will be completed as soon as possible so that the public procurement can be carried out quickly. We are in favor of the fact that the process was transparent,” they added immediately.
Defend your actions by saying that under the current rules, the public tender would take at least a year to select a suitable bidder, while the delivery of the helicopters would take another two years. “So we are getting to the point that even in the case of an immediate announcement of a public tender, the firefighters, police and mountain service will remain without a replacement for the Mi-171 helicopters for at least three years,” concluded.
But the whole thing can get even more complicated. Another company is also included in the process, which makes a much more attractive offer to the resort for two American UH 60 Blackhawk helicopters. The portal noviny.sk informs about it. “We would like to offer you two UH 60 Blackhawk helicopters at a unit price of 3.8 million. We can deliver them to you in a configuration for fire and rescue services, including pilots, crew and service, both within two months.” the company writes to the ministry.
The proceedings were also confirmed by the ÚVO
The Public Procurement Office itself also commented on the whole matter. This confirmed that they are currently reviewing the objections that were filed in the matter. “The Office does not provide information about the objector. I can also use that the proceedings on objections are suspended in order to obtain expert opinions that are important for the assessment of the matter. Due to the legal status of the proceedings, the office cannot provide more information about your questions,” spokeswoman Janka Zvončeková said.