The opening of price proposals for the International Competition of Loteria Mineira for the bidding of the online/real-time mode to private operators was scheduled for this Tuesday (28) afternoon. However, Judge André Luiz Tonello de Almeida ruled on a writ of mandamus filed by the company Sistema de Distribuição Lotérica (SDL). The bidding process has been already suspended twice due to alleged irregularities in the public notice announcing the bidding.
In his ruling, the judge stated: "Considering that due process requires that all challenges be duly considered and judged before the continuation of the bidding process, I understand that the failure to observe this step constitutes a violation of the principle of adversarial proceedings and full defense, as well as compromising the transparency and impartiality of the bidding process."
Thus, once again, the process is suspended until all challenges are resolved. The bidding aimed to grant online/real-time lottery modes, with betting collection through both in-person and virtual means, to private initiative.
On March 5th, the Loteria Mineira suspended the bidding process for the first time for adjustments to the Public Notice. After this, the second round was launched, scheduled to end on April 9. A new appeal was filed, and once again, the tender was postponed, with a new deadline, which expired yesterday, when the envelopes were supposed to be submitted, with their opening scheduled for this Tuesday (28).
The latest challenge, which led to the suspension of the bidding process, was filed by the Sistema de Distribuição Lotérica (SDL), alleging irregularities in the notice, including non-compliance with legal deadlines defined by the bidding law and the inadequacy of the republication of the notice, also without respect for deadlines.
Loteria Mineira has been under scrutiny since it extended for years a current contract with the current operator of lottery modes in the state. With the suspension, it is expected that the notice will be revised again after a definitive response to all challenges presented.
As of the writing of this note on GMB, the bidding process was still listed as open on Loteria Mineira website.
Source: GMB
