Singapore: Issued ruling in CCCS investigation into Rei Securite for anti-competitive practices concerning procurement of licences for vulnerability management software

On 2 August 2024, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) issued a Proposed Infringement Decision (PID) against Rei Securite Pte. Ltd. and Soh Chee Keong for violation of section 34 of the Competition Act on anti-competitive agreements based on the actions they engaged in the procurement of vulnerability management software licences and services. The PID states that the companies engaged in bid-rigging activities related to three invitations to quote (ITQ) issued by Ngee Ann Polytechnic between January 2021 and November 2022, with values between SGD 63’000 and SGD 65’000. The investigation determined that Soh facilitated the submission of cover bids through two newly incorporated companies, QBTT Pte Ltd and Contabilita Pte Ltd, allowing Rei to win all three ITQs. This conduct misled Ngee Ann Polytechnic into believing there was genuine competition, depriving it of the best value from the ITQ process. The parties have the opportunity to respond to the proposed infringements, based on which CCCS will make its final decision.