Winning Seoul Government Contracts: An Ultimate Guide for Suppliers 2025 Other Services

Seoul City is the heart of South Korea and a global hub for technology, culture, and innovation. The local government is investing heavily in its smart infrastructure, green energy, and digital services, which create thousands of procurement opportunities every year for both local and international suppliers.

The procurement process in Seoul is completely managed by the KONEPS (Korea ON-Line E-Procurement System), involving everything from tender announcement to contract payment. To apply for these procurement opportunities, you must be primarily registered on the KONEPS.

In this blog, we'll not only guide you through the process of how suppliers can participate in Seoul’s government procurement but also tell you certain things that suppliers must know before applying for procurement opportunities. Let's begin!

How Can Suppliers Participate in the Seoul Government Procurement? 

Below, we've mentioned eight simple steps through which suppliers can participate in the Seoul government procurement.

Step 1: Register on KONEPS

The KONEPS (Korea ON-Line E-Procurement System) is South Korea's national e-procurement portal, where each province publishes their tender opportunities.

All the suppliers, both domestic and international, need to register on this platform by providing basic company data, contact persons, and an authorized signatory. Your account verification may take some time, so be patient.

Step 2: Prepare and Upload Documents

You may need to upload several documents related to your business, which may include.

• Business registration/commercial license
• Bank confirmation
• Authorized signatory ID
• Tax registration (if required)
• Audited financials
• Technical certificates
• Company brochures or case studies

Step 3: Classify Your Business Category

While registering on the KONEPS, you must select the product/service categories or classification codes matching your trade license and offerings. This simple step will allow you to receive relevant tender notifications.

Step 4: Monitor Tenders and Set Up Alerts

You must go through the KONEPS platform to search for active tenders and set email/portal alerts categories, keywords, or agencies as per your business. You may also need to monitor the Seoul Metropolitan Government or specific agency publications for any city-level contract announcement.

Step 5: Carefully Read Tender Documents

When you find the relevant tender opportunity, you should download the attached tender document. It outlines the scope of work, technical specifications, timelines, evaluation criteria, security/bonding requirements, mandatory certifications, and contract terms. Make sure to also note the deadline for queries and the submission closing time.

Step 6: Submit Bids and Respond to Post-Submission Queries and Clarifications

To submit bids, you need to create a technical proposal demonstrating compliance, deliverables, timelines, and past performance. You also need to create a financial proposal that showcases cost-effectiveness and value for money.

You can submit your bid online via the KONEPS e-procurement portal. Late submissions are typically automatically rejected. Additionally, if the procuring entity asks for further clarification or more documentation during the evaluation period, you will be required to reply promptly through the KONEPS platform.

Step 7: Award Contract

Once the evaluation is completed, the procuring entity awards the contract to the best value and cost-effective bid. After awarding, the contractor is required to sign the contract, submit performance bonds/guarantees if required, and provide insurance documentation.

Step 8: Monitor Performance and Contract Closure

The contractor begins working on the project and starts delivering goods and services following the contract specs. The concerned procuring entity closely monitors the project and confirms adherence to all compliance and regulations.

Once all the deliverables are verified by the procuring entity, they proceed with the payment and release the performance guarantee/bond. 

What Suppliers Must Know About Government Procurement in Seoul City? 

Below, we’ve mentioned five major things that vendors must know about government procurement in Seoul  City. 

1. Procurement is Fully Digital via KONEPS

The KONEPS (Korean ON-Line Procurement System) is the central portal for all procurement activities in Seoul. You must be registered on this portal to access tender notices, download bid documents, and submit offers. This portal centrally manages the entire procurement lifecycle, from bid submission to contract payments.

2. Registration and Documentation Are Key

Any supplier interested in the Seoul-based procurement opportunities must be registered on the portal. You may need to submit valid business registration documents, bank information, tax certificate, and financial statement, or even ISO/technical certifications in some cases. Foreign suppliers may require local representatives or translated documents in the Korean language.

3. Competitive Bidding Is the Norm

Most procurement activities in Seoul city are performed through open tender methods to ensure fair competition. They follow restricted or negotiated procedures for specialized projects. In this bidding method, bids are evaluated based on compliance, price, quality, sustainability, and supplier experience.

4. Pre-Qualification May Apply

Some high-value or specialized tenders require pre-qualification. Here, you need to prove your technical expertise, financial capacity, and past performance to participate in the bidding process.

5. Language and Documentation Requirements

Most tender documents are available in the Korean language. So, suppliers must follow the Korean language format while submitting bids. It is better for international suppliers to work with local partners and translators to ensure compliance. Moreover, if you fail to accurately translate, your profile may be disqualified.  

Conclusion 

Participating in Seoul's government procurement framework can open your doors to thousands of opportunities in the world's most competitive and innovative economies. Follow the simple steps to register on the KONEPS to access tender opportunities and submit bids.

If you're serious about expanding your business in Seoul, subscribe to TendersOnTime to explore real-time tender alerts, bid documents, and expert insights that help you win government contracts with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is KONEPS, and why is it important for suppliers?

KONEPS (Korea ON-Line E-Procurement System) is South Korea’s central e-procurement platform. Suppliers must register on KONEPS to access tender notices, download documents, and submit bids for both national and Seoul city government contracts.

2. How can international suppliers participate in Seoul’s government tenders?

Foreign suppliers can participate by registering on KONEPS, providing necessary documentation, and often appointing a local representative. Translations of key documents into Korean are typically required. So, you may hire a translator or contact an aggregator like TendersOnTime.

3. What documents are needed to register on KONEPS?

Suppliers generally need a business registration certificate, tax registration, bank confirmation, authorized signatory ID, audited financials, and technical certifications. Company brochures or past project references may also be requested.

4. How do I find Seoul city tender opportunities?

Once registered on KONEPS, suppliers can search by category, agency, or keyword. You can also set up email alerts or monitor Seoul Metropolitan Government announcements for city-specific contracts.

5. What is pre-qualification in Seoul government procurement?

Pre-qualification (PQ) is a screening process for high-value or specialized tenders. Suppliers must demonstrate technical expertise, financial stability, and past performance before being invited to submit a full bid.

6. How are bids evaluated in Seoul procurement?

Bids are assessed based on compliance, price, quality, supplier experience, and sustainability. Most contracts are awarded to the bidder offering the best overall value, not just the lowest price.

7. Are performance bonds or bid guarantees required?

Yes. Many Seoul tenders require bid bonds during submission and performance guarantees once a contract is awarded. These ensure compliance and timely project delivery.

8. What sectors offer the most procurement opportunities in Seoul?

Major sectors include infrastructure, IT and software, energy, healthcare, public services, and green technology solutions. The city emphasizes sustainable and innovative procurement.

9. Can suppliers submit tenders in English?

Most documents must be in Korean, so international suppliers often work with local translators or agents to ensure full compliance. Incorrect or incomplete translations may lead to disqualification.

10. How can suppliers improve their chances of winning Seoul government contracts?

Suppliers should maintain accurate documentation, monitor KONEPS regularly, respond promptly to clarifications, highlight past performance, and showcase sustainability or green credentials when relevant.