CADE begins investigation about alleged cartel in public tenders of information technology services

The General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense – CADE started on Thursday 14/02 an administrative proceeding to investigate an alleged cartel in public tenders by public organizations and companies located at the Federal District in the hire information technology – IT - outsourcing services market. The doings alleged cartel would have harmed public organizations and companies at federal and state levels.

There is evidence that seven companies and ten executives exchanged information and coordinated prices, in order to have advantage in tenders and divide the IT services market . The administrative proceeding begun in 2012 due to documents forwarded by the Prosecution Office of the Federal District and Territories - MPDFT.

The documents have evidence that those accused, shortly after the publication of call for tender, kept intense communication among them. They used electronic messages to make decisions on results of the public tenders involving the alleged cartel group and exchanged sensitive commercial information, such as prices, clients and conditions for participating in tender, in order to adopt strategies to direct the dispute. In doing so, they would guarantee the alleged market share.

Due to the investigation (Administrative Proceeding no. 08012.004280/2012-40), the accused will be notified to present their defenses. After the General Superintendence conclusion, the case goes on to Cade’s Tribunal to render a final decision.