91998E2104

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2104/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Exclusion of Ansaldo Acque from the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Athens

I have learnt that in May 1997 the Greek Ministry for environmental planning and public works (EYDE/AELMP) concluded in form and substance an international tender for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Athens - stage 2 - for a budget of about ECU 150 000 000.

The first, feasibility, stage had already received Community funding in the form of a grant of a few million ecus.

I understand that various Italian groups that competed for the tender were excluded as early as the first round for purely formal reasons. Apparently at least one of the groups - Ansaldo Acque - has fully demonstrated that the reasons given were baseless and merely a pretext.

Now, one year later, EYDE has still not awarded the contract since appeals have been lodged with the competent Greek authorities about the technical assessment of the bids received and, as I understand it, the Community bodies responsible for the funding have not yet been involved.

1. Has what I have said changed in any way by the date of my question and, if so, how?

2. If there has been no change in procedure in the interim, are there not grounds for asking EYDE to call for tenders again with the assistance of Community organizations for reasons of competence and transparency?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

The Greek Ministry of Public Works put this public works contract, for the design and construction of a sewage treatment plant in Athens, up for competition in 1995 by restricted procedure, announcing that the contract would be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender.

The preselection phase for candidates having been completed on time, six preselected consortia submitted bids on 14 May 1997. According to the information in the Commission's possession, the technical aspects of the bids were evaluated by an assessment committee, which completed that task in June 1998. Some of the bidders lodged objections to the assessment, and these are currently being investigated by the national authorities.

The Commission has also received a complaint concerning the assessment, which it is in the process of investigating. At this stage in its examination of the case, the Commission considers that it is not in a position to ask the contracting authority to start a new call for tenders on the grounds mentioned by the Honourable Member.