The Belgian Ministry of Defense (MOD) intends to invite bids on the restoration of Hangars 1 and 2 at Chièvres Airbase

The Belgian MOD is serving as the NATO contracting agency for this project, which is being funded within the framework of the Infrastructure Committee. The Belgian MOD has been authorized to use the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedure.

The estimated value of this project is Euro 3.5 million. The reference for the IFB (Invitation for Bid) is 8IP769. The U.S. Department of Commerce will be using the reference IFB-BELGIUM-8IP769.

The security classification of the contract is 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 may 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. The application and supporting documentation may be submitted as e-mail attachments. If, when submitting the application, your firm is interested in a specific NATO ICB project, please include the following in the text of your email:

1) the title and/or solicitation number of the project

2) the name/phone/FAX/email of the point of contact for the bid documents

After approval of your one-time NATO ICB application, the Department of Commerce will then know to follow up by issuing a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) for that project. A DOE is used to nominate an approved firm to the bidders list for a particular NATO ICB project.

Using the contact information indicated on the DOE, the NATO contracting agency will contact the firm directly when the IFB has been issued.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

1. Final date to request a DOE: 11 February 2009

2. Anticipated date that the contracting agency will distribute the IFB: 31 March 2009

3. Anticipated closing date for receipt of bids: 31 July 2009

4. Probable duration of contract: 220 working days