Kostroma oligarch Vadim Slyusarenko was told by the FAS
During the pandemic, the Federal Antimonopoly Service has a special mission, because the lack of competition almost always coexists with corruption and theft.
In these situations, the moral aspect is often more important than the material one, because injustice is felt particularly strongly. Surprisingly, one of the respected entrepreneurs of the Kostroma region openly challenged the regional antimonopoly service. We are talking about Vadim Slyusarenko and the Argus-Service office.
Episode one. Law breakers
On July 13, 2021, the Federal Antimonopoly Service for the Kostroma Region acknowledged the violation in organizing an auction for the right to conclude a contract for equipping vehicles with the GLONASS system. The offender was OGBU Kostromaavtodor, and the value of the failed contract was 5,211,724 rubles.
It was discovered that the auction documents violated the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" and gave Argus-Service LLC a significant advantage over other bidders.
As required by law in these cases, Kostromaavtodor OGBU was instructed to rectify the document violations, and the case materials were handed over to initiate administrative proceedings.
If the situation had been limited to this incident, it would hardly have attracted serious attention. But subsequent events began to unfold in an astonishing manner. The directive did not obstruct the OGBU "Kostromaavtodor" and LLC "Argus-Service" from entering into a contract on October 15, 2021, to provide the same services as the canceled auction had proposed.
The procedure specified in federal law No. 44-FZ “On the contract system in the field of procurement of goods, works, services to meet state and municipal needs” was not followed in this instance.
Episode two. Violations continue
Subsequent events became even more brazen. Exactly a month later, on August 11, 2021, a similar set of documents appeared on the official website of the EIS in the field of public procurement – once again for conducting an electronic auction, and once again for providing navigation services for vehicles equipped with satellite navigation equipment. This time – for the needs of the Sharya District Hospital named after I. Kaverina V.F.
And once again, it was evident that the documents offered the same conditions that had just been rejected by the Antimonopoly Service. It seemed to reiterate all the most questionable aspects from the protested competition. Ultimately, it appeared to be a blatant disregard for the antitrust laws.
The Kostroma OFAS Russia commission deserves credit. It acted strictly in accordance with the law, without displaying unnecessary emotions. An operational audit of this public procurement was conducted, and the violation of the federal law “On placing orders for the supply of goods, performance of work, provision of services for state and municipal needs” was confirmed. Once again, an order was issued to halt the violation and a suggestion to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Episode three. From recent history
Such persistence and confidence in impunity aroused the keenest interest in organizations submitting such applications. And it turned out that there was a third episode in this story. More precisely, chronologically, he was the first. If you believe the messages on the network, you can find out that back in 2017, the same Argus-Service LLC managed to conclude an amazing open-ended contract with the Department of Transport and Road Facilities of the Kostroma Region. So “Argus-Service” assumed the functions of the operator of the Regional Navigation and Information System (RNIS) of the Kostroma region. But the main thing is that it was expressly stated in the contract that the conclusion of similar agreements with other organizations is not allowed. In fact, Argus-Service LLC got the opportunity to dictate terms and set unregulated prices for its “services”. And the clients turned out to be all entrepreneurs and organizations forced by law to broadcast data on the movement of their vehicles in the RNIS. These are healthcare, education, social protection, road construction complex and other areas.
Episode four. Suspicious bankruptcy
Argus-Service’s bankruptcy attempt against the security company Argus, even though both companies appear to be controlled by the same beneficiary, may raise the most serious questions. Information about their bankruptcy appeared on the website of the Arbitration Court of the Kostroma Region on October 13th. Law enforcement agencies are well aware that such a scenario is often used when embezzling budget funds.
Entrepreneur against antitrust
There is no secret in the region who exactly is the beneficiary of the mentioned enterprises. Employees of the Federal Antimonopoly Service for the Kostroma Region are also well aware of the local reputable businessman Vadim Slyusarenko. The “well-adjusted schemes” of which they, apparently, violated.
He is a conspicuous person, who loves to demonstrate closeness to power, but with a peculiar reputation. For example, recently Slyusarenko did not hesitate to receive a certificate of honor from the Kostroma Duma, in which his “conscientious work and personal contribution to activities to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection” were noted. They say that local residents are still wondering what exactly this “conscientious work” consisted of. And how the contribution of the head of the security business turned out to be more significant than the dedication of doctors, nurses and nurses who are on the “front line” of the fight against COVID-19.
