By NSB Deks
A formal complaint has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Odisha alleging prima facie collusion, cartelisation, and deliberate manipulation of public procurement processes in large-scale government education technology projects. The complaint specifically targets the ongoing OCAC tender for implementation of AI-powered virtual classrooms in government schools, claiming that the bidding framework has been structured to favour a limited vendor ecosystem.
Allegations of Coordinated Participation
The complaint highlights the repeated co-participation of Gumbi Software Services Pvt. Ltd. and Apps & Devices (Appsndevices Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) across multiple state education ICT tenders. It alleges that instead of functioning as genuine competitors, the two entities appear together in bidding processes where competition narrows to the same pair, with one eventually emerging as the awardee.
According to the representation, corporate records and public disclosures suggest managerial continuity and possible lineage links between the two firms, raising concerns about common control or coordinated conduct.
Specific Reference to OCAC Odisha Tender
The complaint focuses on the currently active “Request for Proposal (RFP) for Selection of Agency for Implementation of AI Powered Virtual Classrooms with Digital Assessment in Government and Government Aided Schools across Odisha,” issued by OCAC under the School & Mass Education Department.
It alleges that the tender incorporates restrictive and tailor-made eligibility conditions, including:
Escalation of financial turnover requirements despite unchanged project scope.
Reduction in permissible consortium size.
Significant increase in digital assessment device requirements.
Feature-specific technical specifications allegedly limiting OEM competition.
Limited weightage to communication infrastructure critical for studio-based learning.
The complainant argues that such conditions materially reduce competition and create a predictable bidding environment.
Tripura Tender Cited as Precedent
As supporting evidence, the complaint references a Tripura education ICT tender involving 240 schools. It states that both companies participated, with competition narrowing to the same two entities before the project was awarded to one of them. The complainant alleges that bid values remained identical across iterations, suggesting possible price alignment.
Pattern Across Multiple States
Beyond Odisha and Tripura, similar participation patterns are alleged in education ICT projects in Assam, Uttarakhand, and Mizoram. The complaint claims that a limited vendor ecosystem repeatedly surfaces in large-scale ICT classroom deployments, often operating alongside system integrators.
Reliefs Sought
The complainant has sought immediate suspension of the Odisha tender, a forensic audit of the concerned entities, verification of corporate linkages, and referral of the matter to the Competition Commission of India. It also seeks review of ongoing and past projects involving the companies across states.
The matter, if taken up for investigation, could have significant implications for public procurement transparency and competitive practices in education technology projects.