Brasília, October 8, 2025 – Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), in partnership with the Federal Police (PF) and the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU), has launched Operation Anteprojeto to investigate alleged bid-rigging in public tenders for emergency road works in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The joint investigation targets engineering consulting and technical advisory companies hired by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Dnit) for federal highway reconstruction projects following the severe floods that hit the state in April and May 2024.
According to Cade, the probe originated from an analysis by the Federal Police’s Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Division (Delecor/RS), which uncovered signs of coordinated conduct among three engineering firms based in Rio Grande do Sul. The companies allegedly pre-arranged their bids to secure three Dnit contracts covering consultancy services for preliminary and executive engineering designs on flood-affected highways.
The combined value of the contracts exceeds BRL 72 million (approximately $13.5 million), financed with federal emergency reconstruction funds. Authorities executed nine search and seizure warrants across the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre and in Brasília. Around 15 CADE officials, 51 Federal Police agents, and four CGU auditors participated in the action.
Evidence and Next Steps
Initial findings by CADE, PF, and CGU indicate potential collusion affecting the competitive nature of the tenders. Seized materials will undergo detailed forensic analysis to determine the existence and extent of a cartel scheme.
Following the investigation, CADE’s General Superintendence will issue a technical opinion and refer the case to the Administrative Tribunal for judgment.
