Mexico: Fearing contract-fixing, Social Security looks to COFECE

Mexico’s Institute for Social Security (IMSS) has filed a complaint with the country’s competition regulator, COFECE, over what they believe to be a possible case of collusion between potential suppliers. The violation involves a current contest being held by the Institute for supply contracts in Integrated Laboratory Diagnostics services. The institute has said the complaint aims for COFECE “to employ its capabilities to safeguard the economic competition process and to determine whether possible absolute monopolistic practices have taken place to the detriment of the IMSS.”

The IMSS’s complaint details that, on December 12 2015 the Institute held a contest for 100% of its laboratory testing and diagnostics services through an Integrated Services scheme for a length of three years. Six service packages were up for grabs, each assigned to eight different regions.

As well as presenting a formal complaint, the Institute’s Internal Affairs section has also been notified in order to investigate the situation and determine where responsibility for the agreement lies. Despite the ongoing investigation and regardless of its outcome, all of the IMSS’ lab and diagnostics services are fully guaranteed.

Full content: Reporte México

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