About NATO
Installations set up at the request of NATO Commanders for the operation, maintenance and training of NATO international forces in time of peace and for their effective operation in time of war are called ‘common infrastructure’ and are normally eligible for collective funding by member governments of the Alliance.
International Competitive Bidding (ICB) is the normal method of procurement, although it may be waived where appropriate. Only firms of the NATO nations which have undertaken to share the cost of the infrastructure project involved can take part in an ICB, and all equipment and services, including those supplied by sub-contractors, must come from NATO nations financing the project.
Under NATO ICB procedures a host nation or NATO agency which has undertaken to procure an infrastructure-funded project will invite bids only from firms which have been declared eligible by their nations of origin. For UK firms, declarations of eligibility are provided by the Ministry of Defence, via the Defence Export Services Organisation, Regional Marketing Directorate 4c. Eligibility covers the technical, financial and professional capacity of the firm and other appropriate clearances; the declaration states that the capabilities of the firm are such that the MOD would admit the firm as a competitor if responsible for awarding a contract for work of a similar nature. Only existing defence contractors are, therefore, generally eligible to bid for infrastructure projects.
NATO Maintenance and Supply Projects
The main role of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) concerns the centralisation, coordination and consolidation of logistics activities for various weapon systems and equipment of the forces of NATO nations to achieve greater economy and efficiency from both procurement and operational perspectives. It is essentially a management agency with responsibility in the areas of maintenance, calibration and supply.
Procurement activity derives from orders placed by individual NATO nations. NAMSA also occasionally acts as a procurement agency for NATO common-funded infrastructure projects.
More information on NAMSA’s procurement regulations can be found here.
