Public Procurement Service Revises G-PASS Designation System to Strengthen Companies' Export Capabilities

The Public Procurement Service announced on June 16 that it has revised the "Regulations on Designation and Management of Promising Companies for Overseas Procurement Markets (G-PASS)" and will implement the changes starting July 1.

The G-PASS designation system is designed to support companies with export competitiveness by designating them as G-PASS companies, thereby assisting their entry into overseas procurement markets. When a G-PASS designated company applies to participate in overseas procurement market entry projects organized by the Public Procurement Service or related export agencies, it receives benefits such as additional points in the export sector.

The improvements to the system focus on encouraging export efforts by G-PASS companies and alleviating their burdens. The main changes include: improving the grading criteria for G-PASS designated companies; exempting companies that have demonstrated export efforts from the first-stage designation review; expanding the additional points awarded in the designation review for companies that have completed export-related training; converting on-site surveys into basic consulting; and easing the obligation to reapply for designation within the deadline.

Firstly, the Public Procurement Service will improve the grading criteria (A to C) to differentiate the benefits according to the export-related efforts of G-PASS companies. The grade awarded for export activities that require effort, such as participation in market development projects, will be raised from B to A. Additionally, new acquisition of overseas certifications and submission of bid proposals for overseas procurement markets will be newly included as criteria for grade B.

Furthermore, if a company that has received a successful evaluation from a pilot institution after overseas demonstration of an innovative product is designated as a G-PASS company, it will be exempt from the first-stage review. G-PASS companies that have participated in the Public Procurement Service's export support projects during the most recent designation period (five years) and have achieved export results will also be exempt from the first-stage review when reapplying for designation.

The range of additional points awarded in the designation review for companies that have completed export-related training will also be expanded from three to five points to encourage the strengthening of companies' export capabilities.

Baek Seungbo, Deputy Commissioner of the Public Procurement Service, stated, "The revision of the regulations was carried out as part of the Public Procurement Service's 'regulation reset' initiative, reviewing the overall operation of the G-PASS designation system from the perspective of companies and aiming to give preferential treatment to G-PASS companies. The Public Procurement Service will continue to provide full support to ensure that domestic procurement companies with outstanding technological capabilities face no difficulties in entering the global market."