On 4 December 2025, the Competition Council adopted a decision imposing fines totalling approximately 6 million MDL on “GBG-MLD” SRL and “Prodomus” SRL. The two undertakings were sanctioned for participating in a bid-rigging cartel in the procurement procedure for automatic mechanical compression systems initiated by the Public Medical-Sanitary Institution (PMSI) National Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Assistance.

Findings of the investigation

The investigation established that representatives of the two companies communicated with each other about the upcoming procurement procedure, including regarding the participation of “Prodomus” SRL with products of the brand ZOLL Medical, for which “GBG-MLD” SRL is the official distributor in the Republic of Moldova.

According to the evidence gathered, the undertakings coordinated their bids by exchanging information that was competitively sensitive. As a result of this coordination, “Prodomus” SRL submitted a formal, non-competitive bid, intended to create the appearance of genuine competition.

Furthermore, “GBG-MLD” SRL prepared and transmitted to “Prodomus” SRL the documentation required for participation in the tender, confirming coordinated conduct and the imitation of a competitive process.

Decision of the Competition Council

Based on the evidence in the case file, the Plenum of the Competition Council found that the conduct of “GBG-MLD” SRL and “Prodomus” SRL constituted a cartel with the object of submitting rigged bids in the procurement procedure concerned. This behaviour eliminated genuine competition, removed the uncertainty inherent to competitive tenders, and distorted the competitive process, in breach of Article 5(1)(d) of the Law on Competition No. 183/2012.

Accordingly, the Competition Council imposed the following fines:

  • “GBG-MLD” SRL – 5,813,529.49 MDL
  • “Prodomus” SRL – 152,517.15 MDL

Other relevant aspects

Within the same investigation, the Council also examined the conduct of “KVG LLC” SRL, “GBG-MLD” SRL, and “Intermed-Service” SRL in the repeated procurement procedure concerning the same medical equipment. No evidence of an infringement of competition law was identified in this context.

The decision of the Plenum may be appealed by the sanctioned undertakings within 30 days from its communication, before the competent administrative court.

The full text of the decision will be published on the official website of the Competition Council (www.competition.md) after the removal of confidential information.

Reminder to procurement participants

The Competition Council reiterates that coordination in the preparation of bids, involvement of the same individuals in drafting offers, and the exchange of competitively sensitive information constitute infringements of competition law. Such practices may amount to anti-competitive agreements that restrict, limit, or distort competition and may lead to sanctions in accordance with the Law on Competition No. 183/2012.