ACM conducts dawn raids at contracting companies following municipal tender process 
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

ACM is conducting an investigation into possible illegal bid-rigging activities by three contracting companies in a municipal tender process.
Secret price-fixing agreements between businesses in tender processes distort competition, and lead to higher prices.
If it turns out that the contracting companies have indeed concluded illegal agreements, ACM may impose a fine.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                






        
          

The Netherlands Authority of Consumers and Markets (ACM) is conducting an investigation into possible illegal bid-rigging activities by three contracting companies in a municipal tender process. These three contracting companies are active in the civil-engineering sector. ACM has received serious indications that these contracting companies allegedly coordinated their bids. That is not allowed as it distorts competition, and leads to the government (and ultimately taxpayers) paying too much for contracts.


ACM investigates whether interactions have indeed taken place between the contracting companies involved prior to the award of the tender, and whether they concluded price-fixing agreements or whether they shared contracts. The contracting companies are required to cooperate with investigations.
Distortion of competition in tender processes


If businesses participate in tender processes, they must draw up their bids independently of others. Secret price-fixing agreements between businesses in tender processes distort competition, and lead to higher prices. The competition rules prohibit any agreements that distort competition.
Next steps


ACM has conducted unannounced dawn raids, requested information, and, in the coming months, will investigate whether the competition rules have indeed been violated. One of the possible outcomes is that ACM concludes that the law has not been violated. However, if ACM does come to the conclusion that the law has been violated, ACM can impose sanctions, for example, a fine. Fines can be as high as 10 percent of a company’s annual turnover.


ACM calls on market participants and local governments to remain on the look-out for indications of possible coordination in tender processes.
Submit a tip-off


If you have any indications that a business is violating the competition rules, please file a report with ACM. You can also submit tip-offs anonymously.
Report your cartel


Do you want to report to ACM that the business you’re working for is or was involved in a cartel? If you report your participation in a cartel, you may receive a fine reduction or you may even escape a fine altogether. This is called applying for leniency. To do so, you may contact ACM’s leniency office.
See also

Reporting your participation in a cartel: applying for leniency | ACM
Recognizing distortion of competition by cartels | ACM (in Dutch)
Don’t pay too much. Do you notice arrangements between businesses on contracts? Report them to ACM (in Dutch)
Competing within the rules | ACM (in Dutch)


  

  


    
          
                                          
                                  
                        
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                17-11-2025
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                      
              Spokesperson
              
                                    Rick van Tol

                              
            
          
                                

          
                      

                                    
                Keywords
                  Construction,
  Cartels

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Competition

ACM Investigates Bid-Rigging in Municipal Tenders

The Netherlands Authority of Consumers and Markets (ACM) is investigating three contracting companies suspected of engaging in illegal bid-rigging activities during a municipal tender process. These companies, which operate in the civil-engineering sector, are alleged to have coordinated their bids, violating competition rules.

ACM has received credible indications that the companies may have engaged in secret price-fixing agreements, which distort competition and result in inflated costs for government contracts, ultimately affecting taxpayers.

The authority is examining whether there were interactions between the companies prior to the tender award and if they shared contracts or fixed prices. As part of the investigation, ACM has conducted unannounced dawn raids and requested information from the involved parties.

If ACM finds that competition rules have been violated, it has the authority to impose sanctions, including fines that can reach up to 10 percent of a company's annual turnover. The authority encourages market participants and local governments to report any signs of coordination in tender processes.

Additionally, ACM offers a leniency program for businesses willing to report their involvement in cartels, which may lead to reduced fines or immunity from penalties.



ACM Investigates Bid-Rigging in Municipal Tenders

The Dutch competition authority, ACM, is investigating three contracting companies for potential bid-rigging in a municipal tender process, following dawn raids.