30 Items, Including SOSLAB, Selected as PPS Innovative Products

Since 2019, a total of 2,280 innovative products designated
Achieved cumulative procurement performance of 2.7 trillion KRW
Comprehensive support for designated innovative products, including leasing, R&D, overseas validation, and ODA

[By Oh-Ho Shik, Boan News] The Public Procurement Service (PPS), led by Commissioner Lim Ki-Geun, held a ceremony on January 16 at the PPS Hall in Seoul Regional Public Procurement Service to award certificates to 30 innovative products recognized for their public value and technological innovation.

▲ Lim Ki-Geun, Commissioner of the PPS (center, front row), presents certificates to 30 companies selected as providers of innovative products and takes a commemorative photo [Photo: PPS]

The innovative product procurement system was launched to make the government the first buyer of innovative products, aiming to foster technological innovation and improve public services. Since its inception in 2019, the system has designated a total of 2,280 innovative products, achieving a cumulative performance of 2.7 trillion KRW while contributing to the resolution of public issues.

Products designated as innovative are eligible for various benefits, such as up to six years of direct contracts, pilot purchases (proof-of-concept testing) supported by PPS budgets, purchase immunity, and support through target purchase ratios and preferential purchasing systems.

Recently, innovative products utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI-based solutions and converged robotics have been designated to drive innovation in public services. Among the newly designated products are SOSLAB's "Unmanned Parking Guidance System," EnGiA Connect's "Citizen Safety Platform" that integrates renewable energy and TVWS wireless communication, BASESTONE's "Quantum Technology-Based Quantum Key Generation, Storage, and Authentication Service," ETX's "Integrated Pedestrian Crossing Safety System," and Deeply's "Sound-Based AI Unmanned Surveillance Solution," which are poised to lead new growth and industries.

The PPS is committed to supporting innovative product companies in growing through public procurement channels and advancing into overseas procurement markets. In particular, this year marks the sixth anniversary of the innovative product public procurement program, and the PPS plans to assist the growth of innovative enterprises with a “quantum jump” in performance, providing comprehensive support in areas such as leasing, R&D, overseas validation, and ODA.

For pilot purchases, the PPS will introduce leasing options to cater to diverse demand environments and support high-cost, advanced equipment purchases. It will also focus R&D efforts on urgent public issues, such as public safety and healthcare, to address social challenges through innovative technologies. Additionally, the budget for overseas validation of pilot purchases will be significantly increased to 14 billion KRW, and associated costs will be integrated into the support framework. The PPS also plans to expand ODA participation to actively support the export of innovative enterprises.

Meanwhile, the PPS also provided an information session during the certification ceremony, explaining the benefits of innovative product designation, market entry strategies, unit price contracts, and pilot purchase procedures to newly designated innovative product companies.

Commissioner Lim Ki-Geun emphasized, “Creating an environment where innovative enterprises can focus on technology development despite challenging economic conditions is the government’s role. This year, we have expanded programs for leasing, R&D, overseas validation, and ODA to support the growth of innovative companies.”

He added, “We will continue to mobilize all resources to build an innovation ecosystem where small and venture businesses can take on challenges, grow through technology development, and leap into overseas markets, bringing vitality to the economy.”

[By Oh-Ho Shik (eomhs@boannews.com)]

[Source: Boan News - https://www.boannews.com/media/view.asp?idx=135617&kind=2]