Mexican Senators Receive Allegations of Rigged CFE Bids for 4.18 Billion Peso Contract

Opposition senators have received allegations of rigged bidding processes within Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The complaints suggest that bid requirements and rules were manipulated to favor a single consortium, Electro Servicios HR, which secured a lucrative contract worth more than 4.18 billion pesos. This contract is for a critical submarine power interconnection project aimed at bolstering energy supply to Cozumel, Quintana Roo.

Initially, Electro Servicios HR planned to partner with HENGTONG, a company with expertise in specialized high-capacity cables. However, HENGTONG's cables reportedly experienced multiple failures nationwide, leading HR to withdraw them from the bid. Without this experienced partner, HR faced challenges meeting the CFE's original technical requirements within the given timeframe.

Documents presented to senators indicate that the CFE subsequently issued a significant addendum to the bidding rules. This amendment substantially lowered the experience criteria, reducing the requirement from projects with 115 kV submarine cables to those with only 34.5 kV. Critics argue this change, while not altering the project's technical demands, significantly reduced the rigor of the evaluation process, effectively clearing the path for HR.

Furthermore, the article notes a history of significant delays in HR's previous contracts with the CFE, which were reportedly resolved through numerous modification agreements. This pattern, according to industry insiders, further fuels suspicions of preferential treatment for the company.

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The magnitude or technical requirement of the work did not change; what changed was the rigor of the evaluation.