ÚOHS dismissed the objection regarding the bias of the Klokner Institute in the tender for Prague Metro Line D

Prague - The Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) rejected the objection of the PVM consortium concerning the potential bias of the Klokner Institute of the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) in assessing the tender for the construction of the second section of Prague's metro line D from Olbrachtova to Nové Dvory. The institute is capable of preparing an expert assessment of the construction schedule submitted by PVM. Martin Švanda, spokesperson for ÚOHS, told ČTK today. The PVM consortium (Porr, Vinci, and Marti) challenged the fact that the institute assessed the schedule, arguing that it is not qualified to do so.

Vinci insists on its position and will file an appeal against the decision. According to its spokesperson Jana Mašínová, Porr still needs to familiarize itself properly with the rejection of the objection.

Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) initially canceled the selection of the winning bid following complaints from the disqualified PVM consortium and has now reevaluated it. Today, it again announced the consortium led by Subterra as the winner, with a price of approximately 30 billion crowns excluding VAT.

"After evaluating the decisive facts, the office dismissed the objection of the expert's bias, stating that the Klokner Institute is capable of preparing an expert opinion in this matter," Švanda stated.

The PVM consortium argued bias based on alleged business relationships between the report preparer and the client, or related organizations. According to the companies, the institute lacks the expertise to assess the construction schedule and building design, and according to a complaint which ČTK has at its disposal, the institute additionally had access to documents it should not have received.

Vinci disagrees with the office's decision. "We have the opportunity to challenge the procedural error within the appeal, and we will utilize this option. We insist on the conflict of interest of the Klokner Institute concerning the documented connections to the client (DPP), its shareholders (the city), and the selected contractor," said the company spokesperson Iveta Štočková today to ČTK.

Porr is still familiarizing itself with the decision. "We need to verify the information regarding the rejection of our objection concerning the bias of the Klokner Institute," stated the spokesperson Mašínová. She also added that the choice of contractor is incomprehensible.

"Our offer was not only economically more advantageous, but also backed by many years of international experience. DPP's procedure again raises serious doubts about transparency, especially as there is still an ongoing investigation at ÚOHS regarding our exclusion, where we, among other things, contest the bias of the Klokner Institute of ČVUT. We are forced to defend ourselves against the decision and utilize all available legal means," she added. According to her, PVM offered a price approximately 2.2 billion crowns lower than the winner.

The construction of the new metro line began in 2022. A one-kilometer section between the Pankrác and Olbrachtova stations is under construction and is supposed to connect to the section now under discussion from Olbrachtova to Nové Dvory. Additionally, a part from Nové Dvory to the Písnice Depot will be built. The original completion estimate was the year 2029, but due to disputes, this is likely to be postponed, and operation is expected in 2031.