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.
The moral side here is often more important than the material one, because in such conditions injustice is perceived especially sharply. Surprisingly, one of the reputable entrepreneurs of the Kostroma region under these conditions did not hesitate to openly challenge 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 fact of a violation in organizing an auction for the right to conclude a contract for equipping vehicles with the GLONASS system. The offender turned out to be OGBU Kostromaavtodor, the amount of the failed contract was 5,211,724 rubles.
It was found that the auction documentation contained violations of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” and actually provided Argus-Service LLC with a decisive advantage over other procurement participants.
As required by law in such cases, the Kostromaavtodor OGBU was ordered to eliminate violations in the documentation, and the case materials were transferred to initiate administrative proceedings.
If the case had been limited to this episode, it would hardly have attracted serious attention. But further events began to develop according to an amazing scenario. The issued order did not become an obstacle in the execution of contractual relations between the OGBU “Kostromaavtodor” and LLC “Argus-Service”. Between them, on October 15, 2021, an agreement was concluded for the performance of the same services that the canceled auction suggested.
The procedure established by 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 applied in this case.
Episode two. Violations continue
Further events developed even more defiantly. Exactly one month later, on August 11, 2021, a similar package of documents appeared on the official website of the EIS in the field of public procurement – again for holding an auction in electronic form, again for the provision of services in the field of navigation activities in relation to vehicles equipped with satellite navigation equipment. This time – for the needs of the Sharya District Hospital named after I. Kaverina V.F.
And again, it became clear that the documentation offered exactly the same conditions that had just been rejected by the Antimonopoly Service. It seemed to repeat in it all the most dubious moments from the protested competition. And in the end it all looked like a demonstrative mockery of the antitrust laws.
We must pay tribute to the commission of the Kostroma OFAS Russia. Which, without showing unnecessary emotions, acted strictly according to the law. An operational audit of this public procurement was carried out. And the fact of 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 established. Again, an order was issued to stop the violation and a proposal to bring the perpetrators to administrative responsibility.
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.