Watchdog Halts Acquisition Of Armored Vehicles 

The Latvian Procurement Monitoring Bureau (IUB) has halted a deal to acquire four-wheel-drive armored vehicles after two bidders filed complaints about the process, reports Defense News. 

Last week, the IUB stopped the government from signing a US$206 million contract with Finland's Sisu Auto for GTP 4 x 4 tactical vehicles. 

Two other bidders for the contract, AM General from the United States and South Africa's Paramount Group, filed complaints over the tender process. 

The watchdog group highlighted methodological discrepancies in the selection process, reported state broadcaster LSM. 

IUB also alleged that an adviser to Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis had lobbied for Paramount Group in the past.

The minister denied that anyone inappropriately lobbied for the bidders. 

The watchdog gave the ministry three months to fix the tender evaluation process and review the bids again under the new guidelines.