Linditex co-owner Ákos Szabó describes how Slovakia’s Ministry of Defence imposes barriers that hinder fair competition in state procurement, impacting companies’ ability to participate effectively.
Ákos Szabó’s company, Linditex, sought to participate in state tenders, hoping to supply military uniforms for the Ministry of Defence. However, Szabó reveals significant obstacles rooted in a lack of transparency, restrictive conditions, and limited support from the Ministry—issues that have discouraged fair competition in the tender process.
Limited Access to Product Samples
One key issue Szabó faced was the Ministry’s refusal to provide comprehensive samples of required uniforms. Szabó requested samples to ensure accurate patterns and specifications but was only granted a 30-minute viewing. He explains that this brief inspection was insufficient to document critical details needed for high-precision items like military uniforms, describing it as an unrealistic approach to production.
To work around this, Szabó resorted to buying a similar uniform from a private market, but another hurdle emerged when the Ministry would not provide a digital version of the camouflage pattern, essential for modern textile production. Instead, they offered an outdated printing roll that was incompatible with Linditex’s machinery. Ironically, Szabó was able to obtain a digital version of the pattern from an overseas supplier, highlighting the Ministry’s outdated resources and procedures.
High Financial Barriers
In addition to accessibility issues, Szabó criticises the substantial financial guarantees required to participate in these tenders. For the Defence Ministry contract, companies needed to provide a 100,000-euro guarantee—a considerable sum that favours larger companies with greater financial reserves. Szabó asserts that these high upfront costs, which also cover extensive material testing, prevent smaller Slovak firms from competing effectively, limiting the pool of bidders and potentially driving up costs for the state.
Rushed Timelines and Unfair Advantage for Some Competitors
Szabó also points out that the Ministry’s short timelines for bid submission leave limited time to meet technical requirements, which include complex testing and production of samples. He remarks that some firms seem to have preferential treatment, having developed samples previously for the Ministry, which puts them at an advantage with insider knowledge on specifications. He explains that without access to similar resources, Linditex and other companies are disadvantaged from the start.
In closing, Szabó argues that these issues—lack of sample access, outdated requirements, high financial barriers, and unfair timelines—create an uneven playing field that discourages transparent competition. For Szabó, achieving transparency and fairness in public tenders is essential not only for businesses but for Slovakia’s taxpayers, who bear the costs of inefficient procurement practices.
Source: Mária Benedikovičová | Denník N
