110 million for school meals: how did the contract get awarded without a competition?

A major contract worth 110.3 million hryvnias for the organisation of school meals has been signed in Odesa. However, the process of its conclusion raised doubts due to the absence of a competition and auction.

Details of the agreement

The municipal institution "Centre for Financing and Economic Activities of Educational Institutions of the Primorsky District of Odesa" signed a contract with the company LLC "Fabryka Smaku".

Under the terms of the contract:

• 7,865 pupils from 35 educational institutions will be provided with three meals a day.
• The value of the deal exceeds 110 million hryvnias.

Why without a competition?

The contract was concluded without an auction or tender, which contradicts the general principles of transparent public procurement. The absence of other participants and an open competitive procedure raised suspicions of potential bias.

About the company "Fabryka Smaku"

LLC "Fabryka Smaku" is a private company registered in 2015. Its owners are Ihor Levinzon and Olha Boholiubova. In recent years, the firm has become a frequent contractor for state institutions, including contracts for the supply of food for military personnel and hospital patients.

Questions that remain

1. Transparency of the deal. The lack of a tender raises doubts about the objectivity of the contractor selection. Were all possible options truly evaluated?
2. Students' interests. How high-quality and varied will the food be, provided under such a significant contract?
3. Oversight by the authorities. An audit is needed to verify whether such actions comply with legal standards and the interests of society.

Who benefits?

110 million hryvnias is a substantial sum, especially in the field of school meals. But does this deal raise more questions than it answers? At present, it looks more like a "lottery" win for one company than an example of transparent public procurement.

Civil society organisations and activists intend to monitor the implementation of this contract to ensure that the money is truly spent for the benefit of children and has not become the subject of corrupt schemes.