Podgorica National Library procurement controversy

A controversy has emerged regarding a public tender issued by the Capital City of Podgorica for the ‘Radosav Ljumović’ National Library. Fidelity Consulting reported that the procurement process for 759 items, valued at approximately 50,000 EUR, included at least 92 disputed items. Investigators found that 91 book titles could not be located in any global catalog or database, and some legitimate titles were attributed to non-existent authors. The consulting firm noted that the technical specifications appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence.

Following these findings, Fidelity Consulting called for a judicial investigation into suspected tender manipulation. The agency highlighted a discrepancy between tender documentation, which listed a quantity of ‘1 piece’ for certain sets, and library statements regarding the purchase of 45 sets, suggesting a pre-arranged deal with the sole bidder, ‘Nova knjiga’ DOO Podgorica.

In response, library procurement official Igor Nikezić defended the process, stating the discrepancy resulted from a ‘successive procurement’ methodology where a single unit is entered into the system. He maintained that 4,128 books for 2025 have been processed with the consent of the Capital City’s Public Procurement Service. Library Director Slavica Ilinčić has referred further inquiries to the procurement official.