The Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) ruled on December 22 in favor of the Sofia Municipality on the complaints filed against the Municipality's decisions on the public procurement for waste collection and disposal in the territory of Sofia. The decision largely confirms the legality and justification of the actions taken and shows that the difficult decisions were taken in the protection of the public interest and the funds of the citizens of Sofia.
„Just as no one believed that Sofia would last more than two weeks without effective contracts, the city has not given up for over two months. Just as there were doubts about our decisions on the order, today the CPC confirms that we were mostly right“, said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
The Sofia Municipality will appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) part of the CPC decision, with which the commission returns the procedure for Zone 4 for review.
“And just as some do not believe that we can make this difficult, burdened with reasonable doubts, sector work in the interests of the people - we will prove that it is possible to have a quality service at reasonable prices, even in garbage collection.”
What did the CPC decide
1. Confirmation of the termination of the procedures for 4 separate positions
The CPC disregards the complaints against the decisions of the Sofia Municipality to terminate the procedures for four of the separate positions. The Commission accepts that the Municipality had grounds to terminate the procedures due to lack of competition.
Thereby, the CPC confirms the right and obligation of the contracting authority not to accept conditions that would lead to an unjustified increase in the cost of the service and to damage to citizens.
2. The procedure for Zone 4 (the districts of „Serdika“, „Ilinden“ and „Nadezhda“)
Regarding Zone 4, the CPC upholds the complaints of two participants and returns the procedure for reconsideration. The Commission accepts that some of the reasons for removal should be more precisely argued and supported with additional specifics.
It is important to emphasize that:
The CPC does not oblige Sofia Municipality to conclude a contract;
The CPC does not rule on the profitability of the offers;
the decision concerns procedural issues, not the principled position of the Municipality.
The Sofia Municipality will exercise its right to appeal this part of the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC).
3. Procedures with selected contractors
Contractors have been selected for two of the separate positions, and the relevant decisions are currently not subject to appeal before the CPC.
Position of Sofia Municipality
„Garbage disposal is a sector with accumulated distrust and completely justified public doubts. That is why we refused to accept economically unfounded offers and compromise with the interests of Sofia residents“, emphasizes Mayor Vasil Terziev.
While the procedures and legal proceedings are ongoing, Sofia Municipality guarantees continuity of service through temporary solutions, development of municipal capacity and active field work. In parallel, a long-term model is being built to ensure stability, higher quality and control over costs.
„It is possible to have a quality service at reasonable prices - even in a sector like garbage disposal. This requires patience, consistency and firmness. We will continue on this path“, the mayor of Sofia also stated.
The Sofia Municipality will continue to inform citizens and the media about the development of the procedures, with transparency, protection of the public interest and ensuring a clean and tidy city remaining priorities.