Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PODGORICA117
2007-04-18 14:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Podgorica
Cable title:
COMMERCIAL ADVOCACY FOR U.S. FIRM - DATACARD - CONTRACT
how-toVZCZCXRO9375 RR RUEHPOD DE RUEHPOD #0117 1081423 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 181423Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0173 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0061 RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 0002 RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0180
UNCLAS PODGORICA 000117
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/OERRIS/SSAVICH
USDOC ALSO FOR ADVOCACY CENTER/PNUGENT
BELGRADE, PRAGUE FOR FCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON MW
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL ADVOCACY FOR U.S. FIRM - DATACARD - CONTRACT
AWARD
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 26
B. B) PODGORICA 72
UNCLAS PODGORICA 000117
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/OERRIS/SSAVICH
USDOC ALSO FOR ADVOCACY CENTER/PNUGENT
BELGRADE, PRAGUE FOR FCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON MW
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL ADVOCACY FOR U.S. FIRM - DATACARD - CONTRACT
AWARD
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 26
B. B) PODGORICA 72
1. (U) Summary: U.S.-based DataCard has been awarded the Euros 8
million contract for the production of Montenegro's passports,
drivers' licenses, and identification cards. On April 13,
Montenegro's Public Procurement Commission rejected as
"unfounded" a complaint lodged by the French firm "Axalto"
against the tender process conducted by the Ministry of Interior
and Public Administration. DataCard will begin final contract
negotiations with the Ministry on April 23. This is the first
major Government of Montenegro contract with a U.S. firm. The
U.S. Embassy supported DataCard's efforts throughout with active
commercial advocacy (Reftels). End summary.
2. On March 14, the France-based "Axalto" had formally objected
to the choice of Data Card to produce Montenegro's identity
documents. (Note: "Axalto" merged into "Gemalto" last summer,
but kept the "Axalto" name in Montenegro. End note.) By this
stage, "Axalto" and DataCard were the sole competitor for the
contract. After the Ministry of Interior upheld the contract
award, "Axalto" appealed to Montenegro's Public Procurement
Commission. "Axalto" claimed that DataCard did not have the
technical ability to fulfill the contract, among other bases for
the appeal. The commission on April 13 found that the Ministry
followed public procurement law and acted in line with the
commission's suggestions provided after the previous failed
tender.
3. Local DataCard representatives confirmed to econoff April 16
that they will begin final contract negotiations with the
Ministry of Interior on April 23.
BARNES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/OERRIS/SSAVICH
USDOC ALSO FOR ADVOCACY CENTER/PNUGENT
BELGRADE, PRAGUE FOR FCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON MW
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL ADVOCACY FOR U.S. FIRM - DATACARD - CONTRACT
AWARD
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 26
B. B) PODGORICA 72
1. (U) Summary: U.S.-based DataCard has been awarded the Euros 8
million contract for the production of Montenegro's passports,
drivers' licenses, and identification cards. On April 13,
Montenegro's Public Procurement Commission rejected as
"unfounded" a complaint lodged by the French firm "Axalto"
against the tender process conducted by the Ministry of Interior
and Public Administration. DataCard will begin final contract
negotiations with the Ministry on April 23. This is the first
major Government of Montenegro contract with a U.S. firm. The
U.S. Embassy supported DataCard's efforts throughout with active
commercial advocacy (Reftels). End summary.
2. On March 14, the France-based "Axalto" had formally objected
to the choice of Data Card to produce Montenegro's identity
documents. (Note: "Axalto" merged into "Gemalto" last summer,
but kept the "Axalto" name in Montenegro. End note.) By this
stage, "Axalto" and DataCard were the sole competitor for the
contract. After the Ministry of Interior upheld the contract
award, "Axalto" appealed to Montenegro's Public Procurement
Commission. "Axalto" claimed that DataCard did not have the
technical ability to fulfill the contract, among other bases for
the appeal. The commission on April 13 found that the Ministry
followed public procurement law and acted in line with the
commission's suggestions provided after the previous failed
tender.
3. Local DataCard representatives confirmed to econoff April 16
that they will begin final contract negotiations with the
Ministry of Interior on April 23.
BARNES