The State Rearmament Operator (SRO) aims to prevent a recurrence of the situation involving the procurement of substandard products from unscrupulous tender winners by introducing a series of qualification requirements for participants in 2025, in addition to price criteria. These will include production localization and monitoring of the manufacturing process.
"To avoid such situations in the future, the SRO plans to add production localization among the requirements for tender participants in 2025, as well as tighten the qualification criteria: the presence of a material and technical base; qualified personnel; confirmation of similar experience; and financial viability of participants," the SRO's press service informed the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
Additionally, it is proposed to implement oversight of the manufacturing process with a mandatory production schedule, which will include clearly defined eight control points.
"This will enable the SRO to monitor compliance with contractual obligations at each stage. If there is a delay of more than five working days at any control point without valid reasons, operational measures may be applied, including partial or complete termination of the contract," the press service reported.
Previously, several representatives of Ukraine's light industry revealed issues regarding the procurement of low-quality goods (specifically, winter camouflage suits and thermal underwear) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from companies that won tenders based on the lowest price offers but lacked their own manufacturing capabilities, resulting in the delivery of substandard products.
Industry representatives emphasized that the Ukrainian light industry is fully capable of meeting the demand for these products.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy announced in October upcoming changes to Resolution No. 1275 (on defense procurement during martial law), which will establish the mandatory application of the production localization evaluation criterion (25%), including for light industry goods, and anticipated its adoption in approximately two months.
At the same time, SRO General Director Arsen Zhumadilov stressed that the adoption of this resolution should be synchronized with the plan for electronic procurement in 2025.
"Ukrainian manufacturers are eagerly awaiting the changes initiated by the Ministry of Economy from the government. If the long-promised localization in the procurement of property for the Armed Forces is implemented, it will eliminate the possibility of dumping by unreliable importers and protect our economy," wrote Alexander Sokolovsky, founder of the Textile-Contact group of companies, recently.