This study aims to clarify the legal nature of the factual investigation conducted under the 「Construction Industry Basic Act」 in the public procurement procedures of the construction industry, and to examine the limits of bid bond forfeiture base...
This study aims to clarify the legal nature of the factual investigation conducted under the 「Construction Industry Basic Act」 in the public procurement procedures of the construction industry, and to examine the limits of bid bond forfeiture based on such investigations in light of the principle of the rule of law. Public procurement constitutes a series of administrative procedures through which public entities such as the State and local governments procure works, goods, or services from the private sector to fulfill public functions and policy objectives. As such, it is a field in which publicity, transparency, and fairness are required. In the construction industry, factual investigations are utilized as a system designed to achieve the public purpose of preventing “paper companies.” However, due to the lack of explicit legal grounds and procedural safeguards, their legality has been questioned. Bid bond forfeiture is generally understood as a stipulated liquidated damages clause arising from the bidder’s contractual breach. Yet, when an administrative authority unilaterally determines forfeiture based on the results of a factual investigation, such action effectively constitutes a sanctionary administrative act. Nevertheless, current judicial precedents consistently treat bid bond forfeiture as a matter of private law, denying its administrative nature and limiting disputes to civil litigation. Consequently, affected parties cannot obtain effective relief based on general administrative law principles such as due process and proportionality. Accordingly, this study analyzed relevant statutes—including the 「Construction Industry Basic Act」, the 「National Contracts Act」, and the 「Local Contracts Act」—to derive the legal basis and limits of factual investigations conducted in the construction industry’s public procurement procedures. Through the review of pertinent case law, it argues for the recognition of the administrative nature of bid bond forfeiture. Moreover, by analyzing local ordinances such as the 「Gyeonggi-do Ordinance on the Promotion of the Local Construction Industry」, this study examines the scope of autonomous legislative power and the issue of enacting ordinances concerning delegated administrative affairs. In conclusion, the factual investigation system in the public procurement process of the construction industry must be operated on the basis of clear statutory authority and procedural legitimacy, given the legitimacy of its public purpose in combating paper companies. Furthermore, bid bond forfeiture should be recognized as an administrative disposition, necessitating amendments to the relevant statutes and a change in judicial precedent. Through such legislative improvements, it will be possible to enhance fairness and reliability in the public procurement procedures of the construction industry and achieve a rational system that harmonizes public and private interests.