The Lithuanian Competition Council has determined that the companies Manado and Parts Ready engaged in cartel behavior during public procurement for vehicle spare parts. They coordinated their bids and pricing, undermining fair competition.

During the procurement process conducted by Vilniaus viešasis transportas from May to October 2025, both companies submitted offers that were not independent. They prepared bids for each other, used the same computer to submit them, and predetermined the winner of the tenders.

Jolanta Ivanauskienė, Chairwoman of the Competition Council, highlighted the importance of genuine competition in public procurement, stating that when companies merely imitate competition, it renders the process meaningless. She noted that real competition could have led to more favorable offers for the procurement authority.

As both companies admitted to breaching the Law on Competition, their fines were reduced by 15%. Manado was fined €17,950, while Parts Ready received a fine of €23,130. The decision can be appealed within one month.

This case marks the second consecutive investigation resolved through a settlement procedure, indicating a trend of companies cooperating with the Competition Council. Over the past two years, many companies have benefited from reduced penalties by acknowledging their infringements.

Ivanauskienė encouraged businesses to familiarize themselves with competition law and to report any suspicions of collusion in public tenders to the authority.