In February 2007, the Romanian Motorway Company sealed a 3 million euros consultancy contract with Ascot Engineering Services SRL. The finance came from a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Ascot Engineering Services SRL, whose shareholders are three British, was created in October 9, 2006, four months after the tender procedures started and six days after the company submitted the offer that won the tender. Ascot Engineering Services SRL had a small tactical advantage in winning the contract - two of its associates were Romanian Motorway Company staff while the auction was on.
The 2006 auction commission president says he does not remember how the contract was attributed.Ascot Engineering Services SRL manager says he won the contract legallyEIB anti-fraud department has self-notified in this case.The three British have given themselves a 24,000 euros monthly salary, according to the documents attached to the tender procedure.
On April 28, 2006, CNADNR initiated he attribution procedures for a 3.17 million euros contract. The contract focused on consultancy and technical assistance services to rehabilitate roads in Romania, the 5th and 6th stages. The financed was secured through a bigger loan the Romanian state obtained from the European Investment Bank. The attribution procedure took several stages, stretching from April to December 2006. The contract was sealed in February 2007, being valid for 48 months, meaning until 2011.
Company Ascot Engineering Services SRL was named winner of the contract. According to the tender documents, Ascot Engineering Services SRL won with the most expensive offer, namely 3 179 000 euros, in contrast with the companies' consortium that ranked 2nd - 2 677 000 euros.
Ascot Engineering Services SRL won after the auction commission gave it more points for the technical offer. The way i
