Public Procurement Service discusses advance site-disclosure regime for procurement goods

A forum has opened to discuss introducing an advance site-disclosure regime aimed at preventing defects in procurement goods — such as artificial turf and flooring materials — that commonly arise at construction sites.

The Public Procurement Service held a meeting Wednesday with construction materials suppliers, including makers of artificial turf and floor-covering products, to discuss introducing the advance site-disclosure system and drafting detailed rules for multiple-award schedule (MAS) contracts that include on-site installation conditions.

Under the proposed regime, when a second-stage competitive solicitation is issued under an MAS contract, the procuring agency would be required to provide information about the installation site in advance. Suppliers would then review site conditions before submitting their proposals, with the aim of ensuring high-quality supply and preventing installation-related disputes.

To support smooth operation of the system, the Public Procurement Service is working to establish supplementary special contract conditions covering mandatory site-information disclosure by procuring agencies, supplier responsibility for reviewing and confirming site conditions, and settlement of any additional costs incurred.

Companies that attended the meeting expressed optimism about the system, saying it "would reduce the financial losses and contract-performance disputes that arose from participating in second-stage competitions without accurate knowledge of site conditions."

Baek Ho-seong, director general of the procurement operations bureau, said advance site information "is an important tool for ensuring the supply of high-quality goods and preventing unnecessary disputes." He added that the agency would "continue to improve the procurement environment by reflecting the voices of those in the field through institutional reform."