site.btaDefence Ministry Signs Four Contracts for Reconstruction of Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base Worth BGN 234,3 Mln Excluding VAT

A total of four contracts for the reconstruction of Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base amounting to BGN 234,315,868 excluding VAT have been signed by the Ministry of Defense in relation to the necessary airfield infrastructure for the F-16 aircraft, according to a written response from Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov to a question from Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Ivaylo Mirchev. Zapryanov's response was published on National Assembly's website on Wednesday.

Mirchev requested information on the topic following media reports that public procurement for Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, amounting to BGN 500 million, had been approved without a competitive tender.

Zapryanov's response recalls that the plan for the modernization and reconstruction of Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base was adopted in 2021, with the aim of preparing the necessary airfield infrastructure after the signing of contracts for the delivery of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the necessary armament for them in 2019, and subsequently for another eight aircraft in 2022.

The response states that due to various objective factors that occurred during the preparation of the necessary infrastructure, some delays accumulated in the overall preparation of Graf Ignatievo Airfield, which led to need for urgent measures to be taken by the Ministry of Defense to successfully and swiftly finalize the reconstruction.

This provoked actions to accelerate the completion of both the already launched projects and to expedite the implementation of the remaining unassigned projects.

In October 2024, a report was submitted to the Council of Ministers, in which eight companies were listed based on information received from the National Security State Agency.

A working group was also appointed, following a decision by the Council of Ministers, to review, evaluate, and conduct negotiations with the companies that submitted offers. Invitations were sent to the eight companies that met the requirements.

An invitation to submit a tender and to participate in negotiations has been sent to the seven companies that have confirmed their interest in participating in the procedure. Within the deadline set in the invitation, the Ministry of Defence received offers from the following companies - GBS-Infrastructure Construction AD, Electricity EOOD, G P Group JSC. and Hangar F-16 (an alliance between GBS-Infrastructure Construction AD and Glavbolgarstroy AD).

Following evaluation of the proposals and negotiations with the bidders, the construction contracts were awarded on the basis of the determined criterion of "the most economically advantageous tender".

The following contracts have been signed:

With GBS-Infrastructure Construction AD for a total value, including 10% unforeseen expenses, amounting to BGN 108,432,463 excluding VAT, with an execution period of 328 days. The contract is for the project "1550/Area for operational preparation of F-16 aircraft with sixteen shelters with maneuvering areas, taxiways, and service roads in military formation 28000 - Graf Ignatievo."

With Hangar F-16 for a total value, including 10% unforeseen expenses, amounting to BGN 64.68 million excluding VAT, with an execution period of 368 days. The contract is for the project "1550/Hangar for maintenance and repair of F-16 aircraft in military area 1550 - Graf Ignatievo."

With GBS-Infrastructure Construction AD for a total value, including 10% unforeseen expenses, amounting to BGN 38,834,477 excluding VAT, with an execution period of 368 days. The contract is for the project "1550/Area for the servicing of armaments and ammunition in military area 1550 - Graf Ignatievo."

With G P Group JSC for a total value, including 3% unforeseen expenses, amounting to BGN 22,368,927 excluding VAT, with an execution period of 330 days. The contract is for the project "1550/Hangar for the maintenance and repair of the fuel system of the F-16 aircraft in military area 1550 - Graf Ignatievo."