Fidelity Consulting calls for investigation into library tender

A dispute has emerged regarding the procurement of reading lists for the ‘Radosav Ljumović’ National Library in Podgorica. The consulting agency Fidelity Consulting has called upon judicial authorities to investigate suspected tender manipulation.

Fidelity Consulting alleges that a discrepancy exists between the tender documentation, which listed a quantity of ‘1 piece’ for primary and secondary school sets, and the library administration's statements regarding the purchase of 45 sets. The agency suggests this indicates a pre-arranged deal with the sole bidder, ‘Nova knjiga’ DOO Podgorica.

In response, the library's public procurement official, Igor Nikezić, stated that the discrepancy is due to the methodology of successive procurement, where a single unit is entered into the system. He maintained that the entire contingent of 4,128 books for 2025 has arrived and was processed with the consent of the Capital City's Public Procurement Service. Library Director Slavica Ilinčić referred further inquiries to the procurement official.