NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB): Cyber Security System Refresh

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) intends to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the acquisition of new hardware for a technology refresh in the Benelux. 

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

The reference for the RFQ is RFQ-CO-115724-CSSR-WP2 and all correspondence concerning the RFQ should reference this number.

The successful quote pursuant to the RFQ will be that quote that offers the lowest price and is technically compliant in accordance with the evaluation criteria prescribed in the RFQ. 

NCIA may make multiple awards as a result of this solicitation. All work and all parts and equipment incorporated in the work are to be new and of the most suitable grade of their respective kinds for the purpose, notwithstanding the requirements for testing, inspection, and performance as required under the RFQ and the resulting contract(s).

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

Please see attached. The NCI Agency is refining the requirements and will include more details when the RFQ is released.

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): 08 June 2022

NCI Agency distributes the RFQ (planned): Q2 2022

Contract Award (target): Q3 2023