São Paulo Governor Cancels Public Bid for R$ 148 Million Spending Solely on Medals and Trophies

06/03/2016 - 10h32

The Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) administration has cancelled a public bid which was set to spend R$ 148 million (US$ 41 million) on the purchase of medals and 113 thousand trophies.

The cancelation took place after Folha detected evidence of fraud and forwarded questions to the São Paulo government.

The medals and trophies were to be awarded at championships promoted by the secretariat.

The bid from the winning company, which had already been accepted by the PSDB administration, included trophies that cost R$ 7.000 (US$ 1900) and medals that cost R$ 250 (US$ 70) each.

The tender took place on the 19th of April through an online bidding process. The AW Sports company won the four lots offered. In three out of the four, it was one of only three companies participating.

AW Sports is located in a residential house in the west zone of São Paulo. Another company named Mega Dados, which also participated in the tender, is located on the same property. Both are run by businessman Waldir Presotto - one is registered in his daughter's name.

During the bidding process, each of the companies made different offers: one always very high while the other very low.

The businessman confirmed that he registered both companies in the tender, but did not intend to manipulate the competition.

On Thursday the 2nd, the day after inquiries were made by Folha's reporter, the Government's Internal Affairs Division was summoned and opened an administrative investigation into those responsible for the tender.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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