Brazil's TCU suspends DNIT road paving contract on BR-153

The Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) ordered the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) to immediately suspend the hiring process for engineering projects to implement and pave the BR-153 highway segment between the municipalities of Alto do Amparo and Imbituva. The suspension covers any contract already signed and prevents further award until the court deliberates on the matter.

The decision follows a complaint by the National Association of Engineering Consulting Companies (Anetrams) regarding an irregular bidding clause that automatically reduces technical scores for firms based on past administrative penalties, without clear regulation. The contract, valued at roughly R$ 10.6 million, was deemed at risk of distorting the selection of the most advantageous proposal, as Minister and rapporteur Benjamin Zymler warned.