Ministry of Health explains cancellation of 14 billion sum MSCT tender as an error in proposal evaluation

Violations were identified during an audit of 317 state procurements in Karakalpakstan, totaling 32.1 billion soums. This audit covered 345 tenders worth approximately 41 billion soums, among which signs of collusion between participants and customers were found.

According to information provided by the Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Protection, the inspections took place from January to June 2026. Specialists conducted a detailed analysis of the procurements and focused on 200 tenders worth 1.6 billion soums related to assessing the quality of road works and laboratory testing of building materials.

Signs of collusion were noted specifically in these procurements. It was established that companies distributed different regions among themselves, and some regularly participated in tenders together, which led to the same contractor winning.

Additional signs of collusion included the price proposals of the participants, as the applications showed identical and synchronized pricing approaches. During the study of documentation, other violations were also discovered: in some cases, laboratory test protocols were drawn up before the start of the tender and the signing of the contract. It was also noted that for a number of contracts, invoices were issued either on the day of registration with the Treasury or the next day.

Based on the inspection results, a special commission determined a violation of Article 29 of the Law 'On Competition,' which prohibits any actions that restrict competition. Responsible persons were issued mandatory orders to eliminate the identified violations and prevent their recurrence. Furthermore, administrative protocols were drawn up against officials responsible for the violations, and the relevant materials were sent to the courts.

Previously, it was reported that the tender for the purchase of medical equipment with an initial value of 14 billion soums was canceled after the Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Protection discovered inconsistencies in the terms of this tender.