An investigation has been launched into four contracts for $6.5 million awarded directly by the Public Ministry to three companies supplying ammunition, grenades and police uniforms.
The companies that obtained the contracts are Max Gear Inc., Mil Spec International Corp, and Inmunex. The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai) is investigating the contracts, since they may have been granted without a public tender process having been held beforehand.
The Ministry of Government of Guatemala has awarded eight companies with contracts for the purchase of equipment and uniforms for the National Civil Police.
Using the 'By Exception' purchase method and restricted to firms previously invited to bid, the Interior Ministry awarded contracts to eight companies for the supply of computer equipment and telecommunications, electricity, security and armaments, textiles and others items for $37 million.
Faced with criticism over multi million dollar direct purchases, the chief of Government justified these measures saying "a bidding tender does not guarantee transparency and honesty."
In interview for Elperiodico.com.gt with Mauricio López Bonilla, Minister of the Interior, the official said that several strategic materials needed for the National Civil Police (PNC by its initials in Spanish) such as weapons, equipment, technology and infrastructure construction, will be some of the purchases made without tender processes.
The Government has increased by $17 million the budget for the purchase of more than 30,000 guns and assault rifles.
According to Mauricio Lopez Bonilla, Minister of the Interior, this budget limit will be authorized by agreement. "It will indicate that we have authorized a ceiling of about $45 million to acquire the weapons. But that does not mean that's what we're going to spend. "
As this is a matter of national security, the government will begin the process for purchasing 33,000 firearms without a tender.
This was announced by Guatemalan President Otto Perez, who ordered the Interior Ministry to start the process of purchasing weapons for the National Civil Police force. According to Pérez, with this measure they will speed up the time to acquire weapons and avoid facing appeals being made by losing companies in bidding processes.