Autotrac, former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet’s technology company, survived at the end of Jair Bolsonaro’s term and will have another year of contract, without bidding, with the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), an agency linked to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The company signed a contract in 2019, worth BRL 3.5 million. Clauses provide for annual renewal until 2026, at the discretion of the Executive. In December 2020, the value increased to BRL 6.6 million. The last amendment expires on the 27th and Inmet told Panel SA that it will be renewed for another year.
“This will be the last one without bidding,” said the organization. “We are going to open a process for new companies to act in the supply of a system similar to Omnisat.”
Piquet is a staunch supporter of the president. His house, located on a farm in the Lago Sul region, in the federal capital, served as the base for the Bolsonaro family during the government.
In addition to being the president’s private driver during September 7, Piquet donated R$501,000 to the Bolsonarist campaign, according to data from the TSE (Superior Electoral Court).
With the election of Lula, Piquet participated in coup acts, asking for military intervention and annulment of the electoral result. The MPF (Federal Public Ministry) requested, on the last 3rd, the opening of an investigation.
In a video circulating on social networks, he says: “Let’s get this Lula, son of a bitch, out. It’s Lula in the cemetery, son of a bitch”, Piquet said in the recording.
Autotrac holds the patent for the Omnisat system, which provides support in data communication and control of Inmet meteorological stations.
According to the institute, the contracts are renewed annually, without bidding, because the company has exclusivity in the supply in the national territory.
Some companies have already participated in patent breach tests, while the new notice is not made official.
“It is not possible to give up Autotrac, at this moment, and leave adventurous companies in place, putting the monitoring of stations in Brazil at risk”, says the institute.
The institute, however, did not clarify why it only allowed tests with other companies this year.
When contacted, Autotrac did not return calls and messages in the column. Piquet was also contacted by cell phone, but did not answer.
I have over 10 years of experience working in the news industry. I have worked for several different news organizations, including a large news website like News Bulletin 247. I am an expert in the field of economics and have written several books on the subject. I am a highly skilled writer and editor, and have a strong knowledge of social media. I am a highly respected member of the news industry, and my work has been featured in many major publications.
