Ministry of SMEs and Startups Selects 18 'Public Procurement Mentors' Projects Including Innovation Growth and Materials and Components

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 15th that it has finalized the selection of 18 projects to receive support for win-win cooperation in the public procurement sector. Through the second recruitment of the 2021 Public Procurement Win-Win Cooperation Support System (Public Procurement Mentor System), the Ministry received 48 project applications and selected the support targets after evaluation and review.

The Public Procurement Win-Win Cooperation Support System is designed to enhance the innovation capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling to enter the public procurement market and to promote the sales channels of materials and components through win-win cooperation between large and small businesses.

The 18 selected projects include 13 innovation growth projects, 2 materials and components projects promoting localization of materials and components through cooperation in the materials and components sector, and 3 technology convergence projects combining different technologies or services.

SMEs selected for the innovation growth projects will benefit from relaxed regulations allowing them to receive direct production certificates. The lead companies selected for the mentor system will receive additional points when participating in bids for inter-company competitive products. They will also be eligible to apply for the Performance Certification System (EPC) and the pilot purchase system for technology development products.

Additionally, public institutions purchasing win-win cooperation products will be evaluated on their purchase performance in the joint evaluation of win-win growth and local governments.

Furthermore, the third recruitment announcement for the 2021 Public Procurement Win-Win Cooperation Support System will be launched. The third announcement period is from the 16th to October 15th, and applications can be submitted through the Public Procurement Comprehensive Information Network.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is also announcing and accepting applications for the 'Problem-Solving Mentor System' to actively reflect the demand for win-win cooperation products from public institutions and to alleviate the cost burden for SMEs for on-site verification (testing) before contracts.

Eligible applicants are corporate consortia producing products that can urgently respond to social and economic issues and solve public problems. Applications can be submitted according to the Ministry’s website announcement (No. 2021-511). If selected, up to 50 million KRW will be supported to cover on-site verification costs necessary for concluding purchase contracts with public institutions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.