NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Headquarters (HQ SACT) intends to advertise for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) on works and services within the framework of the NATO Military Budget Committee (MBC). Eligible firms will be invited to bid on contractor support to provide operational integration for the DCIS Program, HQ SACT (Norfolk VA).

HQ SACT is serving as the contracting agency for this project, which was authorized by the MBC. HQ SACT intends to use the sealed bidding (two envelope) bidding procedure. Partial bidding is not authorized.

The estimated value of this project is not available at this time. The reference for this project is IFIB-ACT-SACT-09-02 and all correspondence in relation to this procurement shall refer to this reference. The U.S. Department of Commerce will be using the same reference.

Companies that have been approved for participation in NATO ICB and that have performed similar contracts within the last three years substantially similar in scope, value, and size to the requirement described in the solicitation are considered eligible to bid. Contractor personnel performing services under the contract must be citizens of a NATO nation, possess at least a valid NATO SECRET level security clearance, and have appropriate professional training and experience in a related field.

The contractor is responsible for ensuring that the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) forwards to the NATO contracting agency the NATO clearance certifications needed for performance of the contract.

The IFIB package will contain material at the level of NATO UNCLASSIFIED.

BIDDING PROCEDURE

The U.S. Department of Commerce does not serve as the contracting agency for NATO ICB projects. Its role is to approve for participation in NATO ICB those facilities that are located within the United States. Only facilities that have first been approved for participation in NATO ICB will be nominated to the bidders list for a NATO ICB project. Please visit the following website for instructions on applying for approval:

http://www.bis.doc.gov/defenseindustrialbaseprograms/OSIES/NATOprograms/index.htm

The NATO ICB application is a one-time application. Please note, however, that a firm that has been approved for participation in NATO ICB must request a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) for each project on which the firm wishes to bid. The DOE is used to nominate the firm to the Bidders List for a particular project. The U.S. Department of Commerce forwards the DOE to the NATO contracting agency. The NATO contracting agency will not accept requests for nomination received directly from firms.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

1. Deadline for requesting Declaration of Eligibility: 19 November 2008

As provided for under MBC rules, nominations to the bidders list will continue to be accepted by the contracting agency after the IFIB is issued and until the bid closing date.

2. Estimated IFIB release date: 24 November 2008

IFIB documents will be posted on the ACT internet site:

http://www.act.nato.int/content.asp?contracttype=rfp

3. Estimated bid closing date: 09 January 2009

4. Period of Performance: January 2009 - 31 December 2009 with the possibility of one option year (01 January 2010 - December 31 2010) To be confirmed.