Acre State Court Suspends $9.5 Million Contract Over Irregularities

The State Court of Accounts of Acre (TCE-AC) has unanimously upheld a preliminary injunction suspending payments for a contract exceeding R$ 9.5 million. The contract was between the State Secretariat of Industry, Science, and Technology (Seict) and Hydros Consultoria e Desenvolvimento LTDA for the implementation of a government procurement system and other IT services. A key factor in the decision was the finding that the acquired platform was not yet available to the agency, raising suspicions that payment was made without service delivery. The TCE-AC's decision, issued on Thursday, the 16th, also halts payments from the Price Registration Record No. 01/2026 and has notified other agencies that adhered to it, including the Department of Roads, Waterway, and Airport Infrastructure of Acre (Deracre) and the Municipal Secretariat of Administrative Management of Rio Branco (SMGA). The current Secretary of State for Industry, Science, and Technology, Márcio Valter Agiolfi, has been included as responsible for the process. Public agents and Hydros representatives have been summoned to present their defense within 15 days. Over R$ 6.4 million, approximately 70% of the total contract value, had already been paid to Hydros. The TCE-AC initiated an inspection into the electronic bidding process and contract execution after auditors found insufficient evidence of the technological solution and services being delivered, citing issues like lack of technical support and implementation. The court also noted potential restrictions on competition, flaws in budget formation, and suspicions of bid rigging. The TCE-AC has formally communicated these findings to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Acre (MPAC) for further action. Both Seict and Deracre stated they had not yet been formally notified of the decision but would take appropriate measures upon receiving official notification, emphasizing their commitment to legality and transparency.