Strabag AG, based in Cologne, was fined for collusive behavior in a tender procedure related to the renovation of Cologne's Zoobrücke bridge in early 2017. The company engaged in bid rigging with Kemna Bau Andreae GmbH & Co. KG, resulting in a bidding consortium involving Strabag winning the contract.

Bid rigging undermines quality-based and price competition in tender procedures. The Bundeskartellamt estimates that bid-rigging agreements cause significant financial damage, amounting to billions of euros annually in public construction projects alone.

Bid rigging is not only a violation of competition law but also a criminal offense under Section 298 of the German Criminal Code. The Bundeskartellamt is responsible for prosecuting companies involved in bid rigging, while the public prosecution office handles the prosecution of individuals.

The investigation into Strabag and Kemna was initiated following an anonymous tip-off through the Bundeskartellamt's whistleblowing system. Kemna benefited from leniency by cooperating with authorities and providing evidence to prove the offense, leading to the discontinuation of proceedings against them.

Strabag AG cooperated with the Bundeskartellamt throughout the proceeding and agreed to a settlement. The fine imposed on Strabag is final, and a case summary will be published on the Bundeskartellamt's website in accordance with the German Competition Act.