Slovakia Ordered to Revise 1.5 Billion Euro Highway Tender for Second Time

Slovakia's highway authority must revise the tender conditions for the largest highway contract in the country's history after regulators found they could discourage qualified companies from bidding. The Public Procurement Office ruled that the 1.5 billion euro tender for the D1 highway section between Turany and Hubová contains potentially discriminatory requirements due to a combination of overly strict qualification criteria. This marks the second attempt to launch the major infrastructure tender. The National Highway Company (NDS) was previously forced to cancel the first version of the tender because its criteria were also deemed potentially discriminatory. The D1 is Slovakia's main highway artery connecting the capital Bratislava with eastern regions of the country. The repeated delays in awarding this critical infrastructure contract highlight ongoing challenges in Slovakia's public procurement system. The Turany-Hubová section is part of efforts to complete the D1 highway, which remains a key priority for improving the country's transportation infrastructure and economic connectivity.