Seoul Metro Corporation to Support Economic Revitalization with 89% Concentrated Orders in the First Half of the Year

Announcement of 720.2 Billion KRW Order Plan for 2024... 698 of 890 Scheduled Orders Concentrated in First Half to Support Economic Revitalization... Rapid Promotion of Safety and Convenience Projects Including Installation of Platform Automatic Safety Plates and Boarding Convenience Facilities
President Baekho: "We Will Actively Participate in Economic Revitalization by Timely Ordering Projects and Create a Safe Subway"

Baekho, President of Seoul Metro Corporation

Seoul Metro (President Baek Ho) announced that it plans to place orders for construction, services, and supplies totaling 720.2 billion KRW this year, with 89% of the scheduled projects to be concentrated in the first half of the year to revitalize the economy.

The total number of scheduled orders this year amounts to 418 supply items, 266 construction projects, and 206 service contracts, totaling 890 cases worth 720.2 billion KRW.

The corporation plans to place orders for 69.8 billion KRW worth of construction and 698 cases in the first half of this year. This corresponds to 89% of the total scheduled order amount for the year. By concentrating orders in the first half, rapid financial execution for construction, services, and supplies can be achieved, which is expected to bring vitality to the economy that has been frozen due to recent high interest rates and high inflation.

Projects to ensure the safety and convenience of subway users will also be promptly promoted. Projects scheduled for ordering in the first half include ▲installation of platform automatic safety gates (10.7 billion KRW) ▲installation of elevators and escalators (9.8 billion KRW) ▲maintenance services for train information guidance systems on Lines 1 to 4 (5.133 billion KRW) ▲maintenance services for train air conditioners (3 billion KRW), among others.

Detailed ordering plans can be found on the Seoul Metro website under ‘Notice Board - Bidding/Contract Information - Ordering Plans.’

Since last year, the corporation has strengthened evaluation criteria related to safety during contract reviews. For example, to prevent major civic disasters, points are deducted during supply qualification assessments for companies that have caused power outages or quality defects that interfere with train operations.

Before 2023, the deduction items for quality defects in supply qualification assessments were limited to ‘inspection failure’ and ‘defective products’ based on the ‘criteria for selecting successful bidders in local government bids.’ This raised the need for sanctions against companies causing malfunctions due to product defects during contract execution and warranty periods. Through consultations with related organizations such as Seoul City and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the deduction item for quality defects in the credibility evaluation was expanded to include ‘power outages or train operation disruptions.’

Additionally, the corporation added bonus points for ESG-certified companies during proposal evaluations in ‘negotiated contracts’ and ‘two-stage bidding.’ By selecting competent companies through the contracting process, Seoul Metro strives to build a safe subway system while preventing contract accidents in advance.

Baek Ho, President of Seoul Metro, stated, “As high interest rates and high inflation persist, social and economic activities are shrinking, and companies are facing increasing difficulties. We will place orders for projects scheduled in the first half of the year in a timely manner to revitalize the difficult economy and create a Seoul subway system that citizens can use with confidence.”

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