‘Without bidding’, Ukrainian goverment allows to conceal defense contracts

Ukraine’s defense ministry is allowed to conceal defense procurment and contractors’ information starting July 5, after the goverment updated the public procurement policy on July 8.

Contracts can now be awarded without ‘open tenders and electronic catalog proceduref’ if goods are supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military formations, higher military educational institutions, law enforcement agencies,  State Emergency Service , or they cover repair and maintainence services for “Ukrzaliznytsia” rail operator .

The move aims to “increase the safety of bidders, minimize the risk of misuse by contracting authorities, and expand the criteria for non-public procurements”.

Most importantly, it will help conceal the details of such contracts and vendors’ sites from Russia.

“Such contracts will be listed in the electronic procurement system only  90 days after martial law is cancelled or terminated,” said deputy economy minister Nadiya Bigun.

“Procurement entities” are also allowed to purchase goods from  the “partner countries” under condition they have free public procurement agreements with Ukraine.

Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.

The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.

In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.

Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.

Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.