Partial cancellation of supervision tender
Serbia’s public-procurement review authority has partially cancelled the tender procedure covering professional construction supervision for the planned Serbia–Hungary oil pipeline. The decision does not change the selection process for the pipeline construction contractor. It requires Transnafta to repeat its assessment of bids submitted for the supervision contract.
The procurement was launched in December 2025. It was split into two lots: pipeline construction between the Hungarian border and Novi Sad, and professional supervision of the works.
Supervision contract value and bid outcomes
The combined estimated value of the procurement is €131 million excluding VAT. Approximately €5.1 million of that total is allocated to professional supervision. Transnafta selected a consortium led by SGS, together with Project Biro Utiber, SGS Czech Republic, Petrol Projekt and Preventiva 012.
The consortium’s offer was priced at €4.7 million including VAT. A competing consortium led by Bureau Veritas submitted a bid of €5.7 million including VAT and challenged the award.
Appeal findings on compliance documentation and personnel
Serbia’s Commission for the Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures upheld the complaint and ordered a new evaluation. The appeal raised questions about whether SGS Czech Republic had adequately shown compliance with tax and social-security obligations. It also challenged evidence related to an account blockage requirement over the 36 months before the tender deadline.
Bureau Veritas argued that allowing bidders to supplement such documentation after submission would be inconsistent with procurement law. The complaint also questioned whether proposed engineering personnel met the tender’s qualification and experience requirements.
Implications for pre-construction timetable
The dispute involves a price gap between the two supervision bids, while supervision accounts for less than 4% of the overall procurement envelope. Transnafta is required to reassess bids before making a new award for the supervision contract. The adjustment extends the pre-construction timetable while leaving the main contractor lot formally unchanged.
