Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission (CNA) has fined nine information technology companies and their executives a combined 67 million pesos ($3.3 million USD) for coordinating bids in federal procurement processes.

An extensive investigation revealed that between 2012 and 2022, the companies colluded to manipulate price offers and determine market participation in public tenders. The scheme targeted contracts for computer purchases, equipment leasing, printing services, telecommunications, and IT security across twelve public institutions, including Pemex, IMSS, ISSSTE, Conagua, FOVISSSTE, and Fonatur.

The CNA determined that the firms simulated genuine competition by presenting seemingly independent bids while secretly agreeing on pricing strategies behind the scenes. This collusion forced affected government agencies to pay over 40 percent more for IT services than market conditions would have dictated, resulting in substantial overcharges funded by taxpayers.

Under Mexican competition law, bid-rigging is categorized as an absolute monopolistic practice—the most severe class of antitrust violation. The regulator noted that statutory penalties for such infractions can reach up to 15 percent of an involved entity’s total revenue.

In addition to imposing financial penalties, the CNA notified the affected state institutions and the Ministry of Anticorruption and Good Governance so they can pursue appropriate legal action. The sanctioned companies retain the right to appeal the ruling before specialized federal economic competition courts.