National Guard orders reconstruction of networks: estimate finds materials much higher than market prices

Military unit 3028 of the National Guard of Ukraine has ordered reconstruction of external engineering networks in the Vinnytsia region for 91.74 million hryvnias. An analysis of the estimate shows that certain building materials were included at prices 20-80% above market rates, and the likely overpayment for just a few checked items could exceed 4 million hryvnias.

This was reported by "Nashi Groshi" based on an analysis of the public procurement system data.

Under the terms of the Prozorro tender, the contract involves reconstruction of electrical networks, heat supply and sewage systems, as well as construction of driveways and sidewalks at a National Guard facility in the Vinnytsia region. The work is to be completed by May 1, 2027.

The contract was awarded to TOV "Budinzhenermerezha". The company was the sole bidder. The contract price is firm and, according to "Nashi Groshi", includes 5.13 million hryvnias to cover inflation risks.

The largest differences were found by journalists when comparing the estimated cost of asphalt concrete, paving tiles, sand and gravel mix, rebar, concrete, and curbstone with current supplier offers and prices of other clients.

In particular, fine-grained asphalt concrete is estimated at 10,586 hryvnias per ton. For comparison, the August monitoring by the State Enterprise "National Institute for Infrastructure Development" showed an average price for the Vinnytsia region of 7,165 hryvnias per ton, with the highest at 7,973 hryvnias. Even including delivery, journalists obtained a reference of about 8,350 hryvnias per ton.

"Tseglinka" type paving tiles are priced at 1,187 hryvnias per square meter. Supplier offers cited by "Nashi Groshi" ranged from 380 to 780 hryvnias per square meter. Curbstone BR 100.30.15 is estimated at 1,017 hryvnias per piece, while on the market journalists found offers approximately from 215 to 450 hryvnias, and in other recent procurement — from 294 to 459 hryvnias.

Also, sand and gravel mix is estimated at 1,870 hryvnias per cubic meter, rebar with a diameter of 14 mm is at 54,104 hryvnias per ton, and class B20 concrete is at 6,313 hryvnias per cubic meter. For each of these items, journalists cited cheaper market analogues.

According to "Nashi Groshi" calculations, the potential difference for just the six analyzed items totals about 4.21 million hryvnias. This is an estimate by the journalists based on comparison of estimated and available market prices, not a fact of overpayment established by controlling or law enforcement agencies.

TOV "Budinzhenermerezha" was registered in 2012. The owner and director of the company is Ihor Omelchenko. According to the data cited by "Nashi Groshi", since 2022 the enterprise has received state contracts worth approximately 278 million hryvnias.

Sources: "Nashi Groshi", Prozorro