The CPC found infringement of Art. 15, par. 1 of the LPC and impose fines on Face consult EOOD, Cable systems EOOD and Kristi 91 EOOD

The proceedings before the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) have been initiated upon a signal filed by Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of Operational Program “Regions for Growth 2014-2020”, which contains statements regarding competition behavior.

In the course of the proceedings, based on all established facts, the Commission found out that the undertakings are parties to an agreement and/or a concerted practice within the meaning of Art. 15, par. 1 of the Law on Protection of Competition (LPC), manifested in a prohibited agreement for manipulating a public procurement procedure with contracting authority Peshtera municipality, held under the Operational Program “Regions for Growth 2014-2020”. The purpose of the prohibited behavior of the undertakings was to determine the winning bidder. The Commission found that, in order to achieve this purpose, the other two undertakings had to submit cover bids which were non-valid.

By Decision №761/27.06.2019, passed on file No. CPC-1081/2017, on the grounds of Art. 77, par. 1, p. 1 and p. 2 of the LPC, the Commission for Protection of Competition found that the companies Face consult EOOD, Cable systems EOOD and Kristi 91 EOOD had committed infringement under Art. 15, par. 1 of the LPC, consisting in a prohibited agreement and/or concerted practice - a cartel as defined in § 1, p. 5 of the LPC, having as object prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in the market for printing and outdoor advertising, public relations and publicity, by manipulating a public procurement procedure under Art. 20, par. 3 of the Public Procurement Act with the subject: "Publicity and visualization services with 9 lots" under Operational Program "Regions in Growth 2014-2020", opened with Announcement No.8/15.12.2016 of the Mayor of the Peshtera municipality.

On the grounds of Art. 64, par. 1 of the LPC, the decision may be appealed to the Sofia Administrative Court by the parties and by any third party having a legal interest within 14 days starting from its notification.