Below are some frequently asked questions about NATO Contracting. If you can't find an answer to your question, please send an email to:  kevin.mills@act.nato.int.

• I am a business who is interested in bidding on NATO SACT solicitations. Where can I review solicitations and present-day requirements?
• What kind of security clearance do I need to contract for NATO?
• Do I already have the necessary clearance?
• Are NATO security clearances the same as clearances for my nation? In other words, if I already have a national security clearance, do I have NATO clearance as well?
• Where can I get the necessary security clearance to submit a compliant proposal?
• Can NATO get me the necessary clearance to start work on my proposal?
• Who should I use as a point of contact at NATO for discussion before and after submitting a proposal? To whom should I address questions about the project or the Statement of Work?
• Who else is bidding or submitting a proposal and what price(s) are they quoting?
• How do taxes and tax exemptions work?
• Will work on this project be tax exempt?
• Can my proposal deviate from the RFP?
• May my company submit more than one proposal?
• Does NATO prefer either small or large businesses in its proposal selection?
• Is there a possibility that the award will be split (i.e. more than one contractor could receive a portion of the award)?
• Are there any categories of firms to which NATO gives special treatment (i.e. registered small business or veteran owned firm)?
• Does my business have to be from a NATO Nation in order to submit a proposal?
• What is the international bidding process?
• My company is from overseas; can my company bid on an RFP that was not posted internationally?
• Must I have a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) to do business with NATO?

I am a business who is interested in bidding on NATO SACT solicitations. Where can I review solicitations and present-day requirements?

Information about NATO solicitations can be found on our website or  http://www.fbo.gov/ under DOD, ODA & NATO.

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What kind of security clearance do I need to contract for NATO?

The Statement of Work for the Request for Proposal will specifically state the level of clearance required by NATO. In general, at minimum, NATO SECRET clearance is mandatory.

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Do I already have the necessary clearance?

Generally, providing proof and evidence of proper clearance is the responsibility of the firm submitting a proposal. If the firm already has a security clearance for its home nation, then it probably has access to a NATO clearance; however, the possession of a national security clearance does NOT mean that it holds a NATO security clearance as well. Specific questions can be addressed to the SACT Security officer by phone, +1 757-747-3958 or e-mail to SACT Security Officer.

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Are NATO security clearances the same as clearances for my nation? In other words, if I already have a national security clearance, do I have NATO clearance as well?

NO. The Statement of Work for the Request for Proposal will specifically state the level of clearance from NATO that the firm will be required to have. NATO's clearance levels function independent of any clearance levels for other nations. However, it is understood that for most NATO nations, granting of a NATO security clearance is handled in a similar manner to that of obtaining a national security clearance. Please contact your National Security Office for information on their procedures for obtaining NATO clearances. Specific questions can be addressed to the SACT Security officer by phone, +1 757-747-7559 or e-mail to SACT Security Officer.
Usually, additional investigations do not need to be conducted in order to receive these clearance.

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Where can I get the necessary security clearance to submit a compliant proposal?

It is understood that for most NATO nations, granting of a NATO security clearance is handled in a similar manner to that of obtaining a national security clearance. Please contact your National Security Office for information on their procedures for obtaining NATO clearances. Specific questions can be addressed to the SACT Security officer by phone, +1 757-747-7559 or e-mail to SACT Security Officer. Usually, additional investigations do not need to be conducted in order to receive these clearances.

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Can NATO get me the necessary clearance to start work on my proposal?

If the firm possesses security clearance from its country, it can obtain a corresponding NATO security clearance. However, the firm is responsible for providing proof of clearance before submitting a bid for the proposal. Further questions can be addressed to Specific questions can be addressed to the SACT Security officer by phone, +1 757-747-7559 or e-mail to SACT Security Officer.

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Who should I use as a point of contact at NATO for discussion before and after submitting a proposal? To whom should I address questions about the project or the Statement of Work?

The appropriate points of contact for any questions are included in the Request for Proposal.

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Who else is bidding or submitting a proposal and what price(s) are they quoting?

NATO reserves all information about potential bidders and current bidders as procurement sensitive. However, NATO Contracting Branch ensures maximum visibility to all nations regarding contract opportunities.

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How do taxes and tax exemptions work?

International agreements approved by NATO Nations ensure that NATO HQs are exempt from paying taxes and duties on commercially procured goods and services. Generally speaking, Purchasing & Contracting branches can procure goods and services without paying taxes and duties or establish a procedure, under the guidance of the Financial Controller, to recuperate paid taxes or similar fees.

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Will work on this project be tax exempt?

Because of a series of international agreements, NATO will not pay taxes for goods & services that it procures or will recuperate the funds that it expends upon taxes with the guidance of the Financial Controller.

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Can my proposal deviate from the RFP?

A firm may submit an alternative proposal that deviates in part from the Statement of Work from the Request for Proposal IF AND ONLY IF it submits a compliant proposal in addition to the alternative proposal. Any deviations in the primary proposal will result in a detraction of points during the award process.

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May my company submit more than one proposal?

A bidding firm must submit a proposal that conforms to the Statement of Work for the Request for Proposal and may submit one or more alternative proposals in addition to the conforming proposal.

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Does NATO prefer either small or large businesses in its proposal selection?

NATO awards contracts upon technical merit and cost-effectiveness, choosing the lowest possible cost for the best possible technical product. It seeks the best and most cost-effective solution to problems, regardless of the size of the firm that offers it.

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Is there a possibility that the award will be split (i.e. more than one contractor could receive a portion of the award)?

The technical scoring system is deliberately designed with a very strong incentive to submit a proposal with the required number of people and the desired qualifications. However, it is possible that because of the necessary qualifications to complete the statement of work, NATO will approach bidding contractors in the order of their best value score to provide the proper work for the contract. E.g. the best value submission will be supplemented with the second-best best value submission first, then the third-best until all required personnel and/or resources are acquired.

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Are there any categories of firms to which NATO gives special treatment (i.e. registered small business or veteran owned firm)?

All firms are given equal treatment before, during, and after the bidding process.

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Does my business have to be from a NATO Nation in order to submit a proposal?

NATO seeks business only from member nations. However, if no Member nation submits a proposal, then a nation from the Partnership for Peace may submit a proposal. But if a firm from a Partnership for Peace nation submits a bid that competes with a bid from a firm of a Member nation, then the bid of the firm from the Partnership for Peace nation must be declared noncompliant.

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What is the international bidding process?

NATO regulations require that Requests for Proposals that are predicted to exceed Established Financial Limits (For 2010, all proposals exceeding €152,000) must be posted as an international notification of intent to begin bidding procedures. However, firms from any Member nation may bid on any proposal open for competitive bidding.

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My company is from overseas; can my company bid on an RFP that was not posted internationally?

Any firms from any Member nation may bid on any proposal that is open for competitive bidding.

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Must I have a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) to do business with NATO?

The TAA is a national requirement therefore  NATO does not require a TAA. If the bidding company decides a TAA is necessary it must however include all NATO nations as well other countries that will require support. The TAA should be coordinated with HQ SACT prior to being send to the US Department of State for approval.
In addition to NATO nations ,NATO is currently providing assistance/training to NATO Partners of Peace nations and ISAF Contributing nations. In the future there is a possibility that assistance/training may be expanded to Mediterranean Dialogue countries depending on the NATO mission.

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