Public Procurement Service "Bid Restriction for Companies Colluding in Sewer Pipe and Manhole Bids"

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Public Procurement Service announced on the 17th that it has identified three companies that colluded in the second phase of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) competitive bidding for sewer pipes and manholes, and imposed restrictions on their eligibility to participate in bids.

The companies caught are suspected of prearranging the successful bidder and bid prices in advance during their participation in the second phase of the MAS competitive bidding from 2011 to 2016, thereby unfairly restricting competition.

Accordingly, the Public Procurement Service has prohibited these companies from participating in all public bids issued by national agencies and local governments. The bidding restriction period is two years for one company and six months for two companies.

Kang Shin-myeon, Director of the Purchasing Business Bureau at the Public Procurement Service, stated, “The Public Procurement Service will continue to strictly respond to all collusive acts that undermine fair competition in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.”