Warsaw (Puls Biznesu) – The IT network for courts is still not ready. The tender was announced in 2004. TP telecom won in 2004, then the tender was cancelled and Crowley Data Poland was announced the winner.
In 2004, the Ministry of Justice announced a tender to implement IT network which would connect 1,300 outlets, including courts, prosecutor’s offices and jails. The network should make the Polish justice system more efficient. The system was initially planned to be implemented in the years 2004-2004. Works have not started yet.
At the end of 2004, the ministry chose the offer of TP, Poland’s leading fixed telecom. Three other offers were cancelled, including those submitted by Crowley Data Poland in consortium with Exatel and ATM as well as Telekomunicacja Kolejowa and Polkomtel. Crowley appealed. The court decided in January 2006 that Crowley’s offer should be reviewed. The Ministry of Justice chose this offer. TP appealed.
“The consortium failed to abide to several requirements, they committed numerous mistakes. Hadn’t it been for these mistakes, their offer would be higher than ours”, Barbara Gorska, TP spokeswoman explained.
TP’s offer was PLN 7m (EUR 1.8m) higher. The appeal was accepted and TP has the contract again.
“Their arguments were pathetic. We are going to appeal. But this case may go on for years. We hope that the ministry will be sensible”, Dariusz Terlecki, Crowley Data Poland sales director said.
The Ministry may either ask the tender authorities to be allowed to sign the agreement with the company whose offer was best or file a suit against the last decision accepting TP’s appeal.
(PLN 1 = EUR 0.263)