The Respondent submitted one bid for the Program for Rural Sanitation and Water (the "Program") but the contract was awarded to another respondent.

The Office of Institutional Integrity ("OII") submitted a Statement of Charges and Evidence against the Respondent among others, for allegedly engaging in a collusive practice related to the Program.  OII’s specific allegations were that the Respondent was involved in  a collusive practice by arranging with other respondents in a procurement process of the Program.   The Respondent coordinated  with other respondents to submit bids with the intention to simulate competition in order to improperly influence the award of the contract to predetermined winning bidders.

Consequently, and in accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the Sanctions Officer (“SO”) issued a Notice of Administrative Action (“Notice”) to the Respondent. In the Response to the Notice, the Respondent denied the allegations presented by OII. Following the issuance of the Notice and reviewing the Respondent’s Response, the SO issued Determination finding that the Respondent engaged in a collusive practice and imposed a debarment against the Respondent. In accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the Respondent appealed the SO’s Determination before the Sanctions Committee (the “Committee”). The Respondent denied committing the prohibited practice.

Following a de novo review of the written record (including the Statement of Charges, the Notice, the Respondent’s Response, the SO’s Determination, Respondent’s Appeal and OII’s Reply), the Committee concluded that it was more likely than not that the Respondent engaged in a collusive practice. The Committee imposed a two (2) year-debarment period during which the Respondent will be ineligible to participate or be awarded contracts for projects or activities financed by the Bank. The Committee considered as a mitigating factor the Respondent’s admission of culpability early in the investigation, which contributed to the elucidation of the collusive scheme.