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| ▲ Representatives of Korean suppliers and USFK acquisition entities meet in Seoul on April 9, 2025, in this photo provided by the Public Procurement Service of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
USFK-Korean suppliers
S. Korean suppliers seek to enter USFK procurement market
SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- The Public Procurement Service (PPS) said Thursday it has hosted a rare meeting between United States Forces Korea (USFK) acquisition entities and aspiring South Korean suppliers earlier this week.
The meeting, titled "Joint Industry Day with PPS and the USFK Acquisition Partners," took place at the Seoul Regional Public Procurement Service on Wednesday, bringing together over 150 Korean suppliers and four USFK acquisition entities.
The event was jointly organized by the PPS and USFK to support Korean companies seeking to enter the relatively stable USFK procurement market amid recent global trade uncertainties.
It marked the first time to host such an event in close coordination with multiple procurement entities within the USFK.
Key entities responsible for USFK procurement, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 411th Contracting Support Brigade, the Defense Logistics Agency and the Non-Appropriated Funds Contracting, participated in the event and explained the USFK's procurement processes and each partner's key demand items.
The PPS said the event served as a platform for interactive communication, going beyond a basic introduction to the bidding process and providing one-on-one consultations between USFK acquisition partners and Korean suppliers.
Participating companies introduced their products and services directly to USFK contracting officers and talked about potential strategies for successful delivery, the PPS noted.
Kim Hye-kyeong, director of International Cooperation at the PPS, said that the USFK procurement market is an attractive market that can serve as a stepping stone for domestic companies seeking to enter U.S. military bases abroad or even the U.S. mainland.
"We will continue to institutionalize the 'Joint Industry Day' event and provide follow-up support, including guidance on the bidding process and vendor registration, to help qualified small and medium-sized businesses access the USFK market," Kim said.
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