Korea Commission on Human Rights: "KEPCO Must Specify Exact Standards in Thermal Imaging Equipment Bids"

KEPCO, Equipment Public Bidding Temperature Measurement Range '?40℃~Over 500℃'
Bidding Company Files Complaint to Anti-Corruption Agency Asking "How High Above 500℃?"

Korea Electric Power Corporation Jeollanam-do Naju Headquarters building. (Image source=KEPCO)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has determined that public institutions should clearly specify the upper and lower limits when defining the range of equipment purchase specifications in bidding announcements to reduce confusion among stakeholders.

On the 9th, the ACRC stated that a complaint arose because Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) did not clearly specify the upper and lower limits of the purchase specification range for thermal imaging diagnostic equipment it ordered, and advised that these values be clearly defined and managed. KEPCO purchases and uses thermal imaging diagnostic equipment to prevent and inspect freezing accidents that may occur in power supply facilities.

KEPCO presented the temperature measurement range in the general purchase specifications for the equipment bidding announcement as '-40℃~500℃ or above,' explaining that the lowest measurable temperature is '-40℃' and the highest temperature is '500℃.' However, participating bidders found it difficult to specify the exact range and filed a grievance with the ACRC.

After conducting an on-site investigation involving the complainant and KEPCO, the ACRC judged that setting the temperature measurement range as upper and lower limits while indicating 'or above' could cause unnecessary complaints. Displaying the temperature measurement range as '-40℃~500℃ or above' might conventionally be understood as a maximum temperature of 500℃, but it could also be interpreted as having no upper limit, potentially causing confusion among stakeholders.

An Junho, Director of the Grievance Handling Bureau at the ACRC, said, "Since various equipment purchased through contracts by public institutions involve national budgets, it is necessary to clarify parts of purchase specifications that have traditionally been displayed in a way that could cause confusion to prevent unnecessary complaints." He added, "We will continue to carefully listen to the voices of companies arising from public contracts and strive to resolve corporate grievances."