On December 23, 2024, the Service for Joint Affairs of Bodies and Bodies of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina launched the procurement of office furniture to equip the offices of the entity’s president and vice president. The purchase value is 376,760 KM without VAT or 440,809 KM with VAT. The deadline for downloading the tender documentation is February 10, 2025. Procurement is not divided into lots.
Paintings on canvas in acrylic technique
Along with a detailed description of the designer furniture, photos and copied descriptions of almost every piece of furniture, from coffee tables to wardrobes with fireplaces and televisions, were also provided, with the exact name of the product being indicated in some places.
In the office of the president of the entity, among other things, an 85-inch LCD television, a 65-inch LCD television, 16 large hand-painted pictures measuring 120×120 on a 2.8 cm thick canvas are being purchased. In the tender documentation, it is written that the pictures must be realized in the acrylic technique, such as KARE Framed Picture dust Gold, the value of which is 748 dollars per piece. The electric fireplace with dimensions of 150×80 cm must be equipped with a fan, have a realistic effect of burning wood, flame effect, control with manual control or via remote control. “Product as DIMPLEX REVILLUSION or product of equal value” – it is stated in the tender documentation.
– The chair is made of bonded leather, providing durability and a premium look. The leather is black with red accents. It has a high back design to provide enough support for the back and neck. The chair includes padded armrests and a cushioned seat for added comfort. Some versions may also have height and tilt adjustable mechanisms to allow users to adjust their seating position. A product like Nascar Sitform or a product of equal value – it is specified in the tender documentation.
Clean lines, contemporary shapes
In addition to armchairs, two sofas made of metal, wood and textiles with dimensions of 280x102x65 cm can be purchased, the value of which can be higher than 5340 KM per piece.
– Clean lines, sleek finishes and contemporary shapes that blend well with a variety of interior design styles. Materials: Use of high quality materials such as premium upholstery fabrics, leather and durable bezels for longevity and comfort. Seating: upholstered seats, cushions and backrests. A product like Harles sofa Sitform or a product of equal value – it is specified in the documentation.
The price of the coffee table that can be purchased can reach 1,334 KM, and a total of 16 pieces of the “Jeannette” model will be purchased.
Bidders desired
The Agency for Public Procurement submitted an earlier opinion on the detailed definition of the technical specifications of products that are procured within the framework of the public procurement procedure.
– When it comes to the technical specifications of the procurement items, the contracting authority prepares them in accordance with Article 54 of the Law. Paragraph (l) of the aforementioned part of the Law prescribes that the technical specifications must enable equal and non-discriminatory access to the competition for all candidates/bidders. According to paragraph (9) of this article, unless it is justified by the subject of procurement, the technical specification may not refer to a specific manufacturer, to an origin or to a special procedure, to brands, patents, types or a specific origin, if this would be beneficial or would certain business entities or certain products were excluded – the response of the Agency for Public Procurement says.
Notes are allowed, the Agency states, only if the subject of procurement cannot be described precisely and comprehensibly enough.
– Without exception, such items must be marked with the addition ‘or equivalent’. Ignorance of the subject of the procurement does not release the contracting authority from the obligation to define the subject of the procurement on a truly competitive basis – the answer states.
In addition to the precisely defined technical specifications and photos of the desired furniture, this purchase also refers to the desired bidder, the company “SitForm doo”, whose name appears in several descriptions of the furniture, although it is not the manufacturer.
There are no sanctions for abuses
Slobodan Golubović, editor of the Pratimo tenders portal, tells Inforadar that in the case of precise technical specifications of furniture in public procurement, there is a high probability of discrimination between bidders and manufacturers.
– The practice of the PratimoTendere portal shows that with such precisely defined dimensions, composition, shape and the like, as a rule, there is only one offer, which indicates a possible risk that everything has been agreed in advance – Golubović told Inforadar about the practice of precisely defining the procurement subject.
Golubović warns that the provisions of the Law on Public Procurement explicitly prohibit this phenomenon, because the technical specification must not refer to a specific manufacturer, to the origin or to a special procedure, to brands, patents, types or a specific origin, if this would favor or exclude certain business entities or certain products.
– It is obvious that not enough is being done on their application, that is, there are no sanctions for such abuses. In addition to sanctions, it should be considered to introduce certain preventive mechanisms in some future improvements to the public procurement system that would make this phenomenon impossible – warns Golubović.
In addition to the precisely defined technical specifications and photos of the desired furniture, this purchase also refers to the desired bidder, the company “SitForm doo”, whose name appears in several descriptions of the pieces of furniture.
The FBiH president is Lidija Bradara (HDZ), and the vice presidents are Igor Stojanović (SDP) and Refik Lendo (SDA).
