Measures cover Geoje, Tongyeong and other special disaster zones — streamlining procurement procedures and easing liquidity pressures on affected businesses
The Public Procurement Service announced Tuesday it will implement emergency procurement support measures for Geoje and Tongyeong, which were designated special disaster zones following record rainfall in recent weeks.
Under the measures, procurement procedures and timelines for materials and construction work needed for disaster recovery will be shortened and simplified through emergency bidding and negotiated contract arrangements.
When recovery supplies are purchased urgently through the Narajangteo integrated shopping mall, exceptions to the second-stage competition requirement under the multiple-supplier contract system will be allowed. Delivery inspections — which normally take one to two weeks when conducted by the Public Procurement Service or a specialized agency — will also be simplified by allowing the requesting institution to carry out its own inspections.
Procurement fees will also be deferred for requesting institutions located in special disaster zones upon request, allowing them to focus their resources on recovery efforts.
For procurement companies whose contract performance has been disrupted by the heavy rains, delivery deadlines will be extended and penalties such as late fees and sanctions will be reduced or waived. When advance payments are requested, the maximum amount within the payment limit will be disbursed.
Public Procurement Service Commissioner Baek Seung-bo said the agency would "mobilize every available policy tool to ensure that necessary supplies are delivered on time for swift recovery and the restoration of residents' daily lives." He added that the agency would "continue monitoring damage conditions and on-the-ground difficulties to make sure all needed support is provided without gaps, maintaining full readiness in disaster response."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
