Economy
Getronics still in the game for Hungary's e-toll road system
Getronics won a tender invited by the State Motorway Manager (ÁAK) in late 2012 with a bid of HUF 34.98 billion. The second-best offer was given by T-Systems, but it was almost HUF 20 bn higher (HUF 53.4 bn), which is more than what the country, struggling to keep its budget deficit below the EU’s 3.0% ceiling, can afford.
The contract was to be signed on 27 December, but the runner-up submitted a preliminary dispute settlement claim to the ÁAK. While it was rejected, the signing of the contract was put off by a few days to 2 January. The final deadline was moved to mid-January but it also lapsed at midnight on Monday. On the same day, however, Getronics asked for a 30-day respite, saying it had a problem with one of its subcontractors. The ministry, however, did not confirm press reports that this company is Q-Free that was to deliver the GNSS/GPS (satellite navigation) technology for the project. Getronics was not obliged to explain why it is asking for a 30-day window to sign the deal.
The system should be up and running by 1 July and most of the necessary regulations has already been made. The law on the e-toll is expected to be passed in February. The ministry claims the project can be completed on schedule, and Getronics has confirmed this now.If Getronics failed to sign the contract within 30 days, it will have a payment obligation, but the ministry did not provide even a ballpark figure in this respect.
Rejecting earlier speculation, the ministry said T-Systems is not a viable option to carry out the project instead of Getronics, because there is simply no budget for the MTel subsidiary’s bid.
Therefore Hungary will either seal this deal with Getronics, the winning bidder, or a new tender will be invited, but there is no plan to do that for now.
The contract was to be signed on 27 December, but the runner-up submitted a preliminary dispute settlement claim to the ÁAK. While it was rejected, the signing of the contract was put off by a few days to 2 January. The final deadline was moved to mid-January but it also lapsed at midnight on Monday. On the same day, however, Getronics asked for a 30-day respite, saying it had a problem with one of its subcontractors. The ministry, however, did not confirm press reports that this company is Q-Free that was to deliver the GNSS/GPS (satellite navigation) technology for the project. Getronics was not obliged to explain why it is asking for a 30-day window to sign the deal.
The system should be up and running by 1 July and most of the necessary regulations has already been made. The law on the e-toll is expected to be passed in February. The ministry claims the project can be completed on schedule, and Getronics has confirmed this now.If Getronics failed to sign the contract within 30 days, it will have a payment obligation, but the ministry did not provide even a ballpark figure in this respect.
Rejecting earlier speculation, the ministry said T-Systems is not a viable option to carry out the project instead of Getronics, because there is simply no budget for the MTel subsidiary’s bid.
Therefore Hungary will either seal this deal with Getronics, the winning bidder, or a new tender will be invited, but there is no plan to do that for now.
