The competition for distributing the vignette stickers was conducted in full transparency

On the occasion of allegations, stated by BSP (The Bulgarian Socialist Party), we would like to inform you that the competition for distributing the vignette stickers was conducted in full transparency and lack of forethought by the commission. The only candidates allowed into the competition are the ones who are able to meet specific criteria, which was stipulated in the very beginning. The candidate that offers the lowest commission for distributing the vignettes is the winner. Two out of three offers have been opened. The first ranked participant, a company named”Distribution of vignette stickers”, has offered 4.75%. This is the lowest percent offered for the distribution of vignette stickers. The other candidate “Bulgarian Posts” offered 8.5%. The third one in the procedure- consortium “Lukoil Holding Roads” was suspended as they were not ready to meet the criteria, stipulated in the technical documentation, and because of its negative financial result in 2008.

Bulgarian legislation stipulates that a consortium or association may be established in order to participate in a competition. It would be disturbing and non-transparent if it was registered just before the date of the procedure for distribution of vignette stickers. It will be considered as established with this very purpose- the procedure. The contract for distribution of vignette stickers is 3 not 4 years (as BSP had mentioned).The period of the company’s existence, which is ranked first, is estimated in order to operate within the framework of the contract for the distribution of vignette stickers.

The figure of 50 million leva that according to BSP will win a company the first place in the competition is not true. If selling vignette stickers for 200 million leva a year and 4.75% for distribution, the income (not the profit) of the winner association will be about 9.5 million leva. In return of the yearly mentioned income the association will have expanses for putting it to effect and when it comes to providing additional distribution network.

There is another fallacious BSP statement and it is that 150 million leva will be lost due to lack of distributors of vignette stickers during January 2010. It is not the first time when BSP have to be advised how to use numbers correctly. If the year income for selling vignette stickers is estimated on 200 million leva, the loss for not selling them will be 16 million leva. The Road Infrastructure Agency had already taken the right measures for distributing the vignette stickers despite the complaint of the suspended candidate. The estimated income of selling the stickers is 650 000 leva, and that is for the first three weeks only.

The Commission, responsible for the tenders’ evaluation in the competition for distribution of vignette stickers has legally verified the documents enclosed in order to prevent conflict of interests, and has not established variance with the law.

Due to the fact that the procedure is of public importance, the Commission on evaluating the offers was founded in complete transparency, including experts of various institutions: Council of Ministers,  Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Public Procurement Agency, and the Road Infrastructure Agency.