NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB): Enterprise Agreements for the Provision of Tempest Services

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) intends to issue an Invitation For Bid (IFB) to establish Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for the provision of Tempest Services. 

Potential U.S. prime contractors must 1) maintain a professionally active facility (office, factory, laboratory, etc.) within the United States, 2) hold a Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET 3) be pre-approved for participation in NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB), and 4) be issued a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) by the U.S. Government.   

In addition, contractor personnel may be required to work unescorted in Class II Security areas and therefore, access can only be permitted to cleared individuals. Only companies maintaining such cleared facilities and the appropriate personnel clearances will be able to perform the resulting Tempest contract (Schedule A, B, C, and D).

The Enterprise Frequent and Swift Transaction (e-FAST) Contracts Program is an NCIA Strategic Sourcing Initiative to offer best in class NATO-wide contract vehicles to quickly meet requirements for common services. The final procurement structure will be detailed in the IFB; however, for reference, NCIA is considering structuring the procurement into the following Schedules:

Schedule A: Tempest Services Level A for Computers, Displays, Network, Peripherals and Phones; IDIQ framework contract with one supplier as part of the Agency’s e-FAST program

Schedule B: Tempest Services Level B for Computers, Displays, Network, Peripherals and Phones; IDIQ framework contract with up to three suppliers as part of the Agency’s e-FAST program

Schedule C: Tempest Services Level C for Computers, Displays, Network, Peripherals and Phones; IDIQ framework contract with up to three suppliers as part of the Agency’s e-FAST program

Schedule D: Tempest Services for Certified Enclosures for the Agency’s CIS equipment; such as certified racks and cabinets; IDIQ framework contract with up to three suppliers as part of the Agency’s e-FAST program

Potential suppliers are allowed to bid under this IFB for any or all Schedules, in accordance with the IFB instructions.

The aim of this procurement approach is to maximise competition and value for money; therefore, potential suppliers must be aware that receiving a place on the IDIQ framework does not guarantee any commitment for the provision of services. Where specified, the IDIQ framework suppliers will be required to further compete for specific requirements under a Request for Quotation (RFQ) competitive process for respective Task Orders

The reference for the IFB is IFB-CO-115764-e-Tempest and all correspondence concerning the IFB should reference this number.

The successful bid(s) pursuant to the IFB will be those bid(s)s that offers the lowest price and is technically compliant in accordance with the evaluation criteria prescribed in the IFB.

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

Please see attached. These requirements are currently being refined as part of the preparation of the proposed IFB.

BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO BID

NATO ICB requires that the U.S. Government issue a DOE for potential U.S. prime contractors interested in this project. Before the U.S. Government can do so, however, the U.S. Government must approve the U.S. firm for participation in NATO ICB.  U.S. firms are approved for NATO ICB on a facility-by-facility basis. 

The U.S. NATO ICB application is a one-time application.  The application requires supporting documentation in the form of 1) a company resume or capability statement indicating contracts completed as a prime contractor and 2) an annual report or set of financial documents indicating compilation, review, or audit by an independent CPA.

U.S. firms can download a copy of the U.S. NATO ICB application from the following website:

http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/nato-related-business-opportunities   

The Department of Commerce (DOC) is the U.S. Government agency that approves NATO ICB applications. Please submit to the email address provided your application and supporting documentation (as attachments). If your firm is interested in a specific NATO ICB project at this time, please also include the following in the text of your email:  

- the title and/or solicitation number of the project
- the name/phone/email of the company employee who should receive the bid documents

After approval of your one-time NATO ICB application, DOC will then know to follow up by issuing a DOE for the project.  DOC will transmit the DOE to the NATO contracting agency.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

Request a DOE (and, for firms new to NATO ICB, submit the completed one-time NATO ICB application): 16 November 2022

NCI Agency distributes the IFB (planned): Q4 2022

Contract Award (estimated): Q1 2023

Period of Performance: A base contract period of three (3) years plus four (4) 12-month option periods