At issue is the fact that a targeted company is responsible for securing licenses for maps used by INEM to send relief teams.
The investigation by the Public Ministry (MP) into the company Emerging Dialoguelinked to the former communications director of socialist leader José Luís Carneiro, Duarte Moral, could have an impact on the functioning of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM).
According to , the consultant is responsible for ensuring the access to map licenses used by the institute to locate emergency incidents and monitor ambulance activity.
The contract, signed in February this year, is the result of a public tender and has a global value of 58,650 euros, plus VAT, until 2028. Although Diálogo Emergente is a company dedicated to communication, marketing and consultancy, it was the winner of the procedure for having presented the lowest cost proposal.
According to the president of INEM, Luís Cabral, the service is considered essential for the operation of Urgent Patient Guidance Centers (CODU) and for the management of the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM). If the company fails to guarantee access to Google licenses, the institute may resort to a direct adjustment to ensure continuity of service.
Samu explains that the company only acts as an intermediary in the acquisition of the Google Cloud licenses necessary for the operation of the georeferencing and monitoring platforms used by the institute. How do public bodies cannot directly purchase this type of services through credit cards, they often turn to intermediary entities that make the purchase and subsequently invoice for the service.
The award generated criticism from competing technology companies. Techabit, specialized in computer systems, participated in the competition, but was excluded due to the lowest price criterion.
So far, INEM guarantees not have experienced any service failure. Four monthly invoices have already been validated, each worth around 2000 euros.
Meanwhile, Diálogo Emergente is under investigation as part of the “Imergente” operation, conducted by the Judiciary Police and the Public Ministry. Duarte Moral, his wife, Rute Reimão, partner Rui Pedro Nascimento and Spanish businessman Emilio Vázquez Blanco were arrested and later released on identity and residence terms. The investigation covers dozens of public contracts awarded by direct award to companies linked to socialist activists and leaders.
