KNAB Probes Car Procurement Over Fears of High-End Model Favoritism
KNAB, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, has launched an investigation into a car procurement process due to public concerns about its technical specifications. The investigation follows criticism from automotive editors and suspicions that the requirements favour high-end models, limiting competition.
The procurement's requirements include specific features that come as standard in many new cars. However, the specifications appear to be tailored to exclude other models. Both Māris Gaugers and Raimonds Zandovskis, automotive editors, have expressed concerns about the technical specifications.
The tender documentation for the first car seems to be written specifically for the most expensive Toyota Camry model. Similarly, the second car's tender documentation appears to favour a high-end Toyota Corolla model. This has led to suspicions that the procurement process may be restricting competition, allowing only a few high-end car models to qualify.
KNAB will refrain from commenting further on the procurement until the investigation is concluded. The investigation aims to clarify whether the procurement process has been fair and transparent, and whether the technical specifications have been designed to favour certain car models.
