In July, the DOZORRO team analyzed 165 procurement procedures with a total estimated value exceeding UAH 10 billion. Violations were identified in more than half of them — 89 tenders.

The most common issue was inflated pricing: this concern was flagged in 74 procurement transactions, with total potential overpayments exceeding UAH 350 million.

Meanwhile, thanks to DOZORRO’s requests to procuring entities in previous months — and our cooperation with law enforcement agencies — we helped prevent the ineffective use of UAH 133 million. This is the highest monthly figure in 2025 so far. 

Savings were achieved through three key mechanisms:

• Contract amount reductions – UAH 31 million
• Opening of criminal proceedings – UAH 79.8 million
• Contract cancellations – UAH 22.4 million.

Since the beginning of the year, our experts have helped save UAH 600 million in total.

Where the biggest savings were achieved

Among the dozens of procurement procedures where we detected violations, several stand out due to their scale and impact. These cases delivered the most significant financial results.

UAH 10.2 million saved: procurement by Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs

DOZORRO analysts identified problems in two procurement contracts initiated by the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs. 

Both contracts were signed with Primehomebud Construction Company LLC. For UAH 156.9 million, the company was expected to carry out major renovations of part of the internal premises of the Kryvyi Rih Lyceum of Security and Patriotic Education. We identified UAH 5 million in potential overpayments in the construction estimate for this tender. The State Audit Service also took note of this procurement. 

The most significant overpricing — UAH 2.3 million — related to decorative plaster. The company proposed supplying the material at UAH 263.57/kg (VAT included).  However, the contractor did not specify the exact name of the material, making a market price comparison impossible. Meanwhile: Leroy Merlin sells Ceresit CT 174 stone-effect silicone-silicate plaster (1.5 mm) at UAH 129.30/kg; Epicentr sells Alpina Expert Strukturputz (1.5 mm) at UAH 111.60/kg; Nova Liniia sells Dufa EXPERT Silikon-Fassadenputz at UAH 107.76/kg. 

In another contract with Primehomebud, we found an additional UAH 5.3 million in potential overpayments. We contacted the procuring entity about both procurement transactions, but their response claimed our calculations were not entirely accurate, as they allegedly did not take into account all aspects of the technical specifications.

Nevertheless, in July, the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs signed amendments reducing the contract value by UAH 66.5 million. The procuring entity explained that the amount was reduced due to the need to revise the design documentation. We count the identified overpayment amount — UAH 10.2 million — as our contribution. 

Shelter for Chornomorsk Lyceum No. 3: over UAH 10 million in savings

At the beginning of the year, DOZORRO experts analyzed a procurement for the construction of a dual-purpose protective structure for Chornomorsk Lyceum No. 3. The Chornomorsk City Council signed a UAH 97.8 million contract with Premiumstandardbud Construction Company LLC. The contractor is to build an underground shelter for 333 people, complete with a diesel generator and a children’s playground above it. 

Earlier, we reported that the potential overpayment on this project could reach UAH 10.1 million — about 10% of the contract value. We sent the contracting authority a letter with our calculations and requested a price reduction. The response was formal: the contract amount was fixed and confirmed by the design and its expert review. However, these reviews assess compliance with construction norms and laws, not market pricing of materials. We recently explained who is actually responsible for verifying prices in construction tenders.

Back in May, we returned to the Chornomorsk Lyceum No. 3 case after observing initial payments under the contract. We referred the matter to the prosecutor’s office, and law enforcement eventually opened a criminal case concerning potential overpricing of materials.

UAH 8.1 million saved on construction of the Borodianka Max Levin School of Arts

In May, DOZORRO experts analyzed cost estimates for the new construction of the Max Levin Children’s School of Arts in Borydanka. The sole bidder and contract winner was Build Life Investment and Construction Company LLC, which signed a contract worth UAH 184.5 million. We identified over UAH 8 million in potential overpayments — particularly for reinforcement bars, concrete, bituminous primer, and musical instruments. In some cases, the prices exceeded market levels by 2 to 8 times.

DOZORRO reached out to the procuring entity, the Kyiv Regional State Administration’s Department of Regional Development, sharing calculations and suggesting a contract price revision to avoid overpayments. In response, we were told that final prices would be confirmed through work acceptance certificates, and that the department would monitor prices and quality of construction materials. However, in July, the department signed an additional agreement reducing the contract value by UAH 30.2 million due to a decrease in the scope of construction. We consider the identified overpayment — UAH 8.1 million — as our contribution to savings. 

Previously, we explained how we calculate savings (i.e. prevention of inefficient public spending) and what we consider as the result of our work. 

This material is funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of Transparency International Ukraine and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.