Sabaudia awards museum management to security firms in controversial tender

In Sabaudia, Italy, the local government has assigned the oversight of its cultural institutions to security firms after a tender process revealed that only such companies were interested. The Comune di Sabaudia had sought proposals for educational-laboratory activities, which are usually managed by cultural operators. Initially, three companies entered the bidding, but this number dwindled to two security firms. The contract was awarded to Rome's Lgestiona Service s.r.l., which offered a 33% discount, while the other competitor hailed from Ferrara. Lgestiona Service s.r.l. secured three contracts for the Centro di Documentazione "Angiolo Mazzoni," Biblioteca "Feliciano Iannella," Museo del Mare e della Costa, and Museo "Emilio Greco." The low starting auction price of €11 gross per hour likely deterred cultural associations from participating. The management of educational activities remains uncertain.