The purchase of the FCM60 hydraulic tightening system for the needs of nuclear power plants for UAH 36.2 million caused a significant resonance in the professional community. Experts and public organizations raised questions about the tender conditions, the experience of the winning company, and the technical requirements for the equipment.
The focus of attention was on AV Industrieeinrichtungen GmbH, which won the procurement as the sole bidder. According to open registers, the company was established a few months before the tender was announced, which raised doubts about its experience in the nuclear sector. The “similar contract” awarded, as participants in the public discussions note, concerns a different type of equipment.
One of the most discussed points was the absence of detailed technical parameters of the equipment in the text of the contract. The entire technical part is placed in a separate Specification, which can be adjusted without making changes to the contract itself. Experts emphasize that this practice complicates the control of product compliance with the requirements of the nuclear industry and creates risks for the quality of the equipment.
Additional discussions were sparked by information that the winning company's contacts matched those of a Russian entity previously involved in supplying equipment to INOS GmbH & Co. KG, which received a declaration of conformity in the Russian Federation. Some experts believe that such matches require verification by regulatory authorities in light of security requirements and sanctions legislation.
The contract provides for a 30% advance payment. Bank guarantees are provided by foreign institutions, which, according to experts, may complicate further collection of funds in the event of the supplier's failure to fulfill its obligations.
Market participants note that standard requirements for critical nuclear power plant equipment provide for stricter verification of the manufacturer, technical documentation, and compliance of the equipment with industry standards.
Analysts point out that the personnel structure of the nuclear industry has remained relatively stable in recent years, and the process of making strategic decisions is concentrated in a narrow management circle. That is why the purchase of FCM60 has become an occasion for a wide discussion on approaches to public procurement in the field of nuclear energy.
Experts emphasize that the nuclear power plant safety sector requires maximum transparency, because the stability and safety of nuclear power units depend on the quality of the equipment.
