All Procurement Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to international procurement action, field offices are authorized to undertake local and required procurement action which include a wide range of requirements.

For purchases within the authority of field offices, the Procurement Division plays a normative role in setting policies and providing advisory support. Vendors may wish to establish separate contact with field offices.

General inquiries

1. How can I register as a vendor with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat?

Registration as a vendor with the United Nations Secretariat and many other organisations of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ system is done through the United Nations Global Marketplace (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGM). Visit the website to create your account and to complete your application to become a registered vendor. Note: In Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGM the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat includes the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Procurement Division, Peacekeeping and Political Missions, Regional Economic Commissions (ECA, ECLAC, ESCAP, ESCWA), Tribunals (ICTY, ICTR, AKRT) and Offices Away from Headquarters (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOG, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµON, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOV).

2. Where can I find information on how and whom to contact regarding different matters?

You may visit this page.

3. Does the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement in New York conduct purchases for the whole Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ system?

No, every Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ System entity (WFP, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµICEF, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDP, etc.) has its own procurement capacity, expertise and portfolio. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement conducts procurement for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat in New York, Peacekeeping/Political Missions, Tribunals and Commissions. Selected Offices Away from Headquarters do have delegated procurement authority to carry out their own procurement up to established financial limits. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement generally conducts purchases beyond these limits and for global acquisition projects.

4. Does this mean that I have to individually contact each agency, fund and programme?

No, the  (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGM) provides a one-stop portal for applying to become a registered vendor with 22 different Agencies, Funds and Programmes and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat that together represents 95% of the procurement expenditure of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ System. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ entities use Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGM as a sourcing tool in search for suppliers, as well as to publish new business opportunities. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGM registration is free of charge.

5. Is there information on requests for bids/proposals?

Yes. All procurement opportunities for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat are published on our website in the Expression of Interest section as well as on the website

6. I have been approved as a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat vendor, how will I know about upcoming business opportunities with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat?

As an approved Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat vendor, the best way to stay informed about upcoming business opportunities is to regularly monitor the Procurement Division website, where all open procurement notices are published. 


To ensure that relevant opportunities reach you directly, it is important that the in your vendor profile in the accurately reflect your core goods and services, as these are used by buyers when searching for vendors. 
 

You may also subscribe to the , which will notify you by email of procurement notices that match your selected codes through the Tender Alert Service (TAS). 
 

7. I heard there is a bid going on for "XYZ" product or service. I want to participate. Who shall I contact?

You are encouraged to consult the Expression of Interest section on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement website or where all open Expressions of Interest (EOI) are published and contact the procurement officer for information. Please note, however, that the first step to participating in procurement opportunities with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat and other agencies of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ System is by registering as a vendor at the . Contact information for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat can be found in the Contact Us section and on the website for other Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

8. Are purchases by the United Nations Secretariat tax/duty free?

As an inter-governmental organisation, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat is exempt from the payment of taxes and duties for its purchases.

9. As a us firm, should my company quote based on a general service administration (GSA) contract?

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ does accept GSA pricing, however, as a rule, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat makes its purchases on the basis of Best Value for Money (BVM). You should always offer the best prices combined with the best quality of products or services that match our procurement requirements when offering a quotation, bid or proposal.

10. We are producers/manufacturers of "XYZ". Can we invite the united nations to attend when we hold demostrations in our country?

The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat does not normally make specific visits to individual companies. However, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ system does organize Business Seminars which offer opportunities for companies to meet with procurement officials and which may include visits to select industries.

11. Could you give me names of persons from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat who are in charge of purchases of "XYZ" products?

Contact information for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement can be found in the Contact Us section and on the  website for other Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

12. I am a small vendor, is it worthwhile for me to register when the United Nations is such a large organisation? Do I have an opportunity to do business with the United Nations Secretariat?

Yes, of course. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat procures on an international basis from vendors of all sizes and from all geographical locations. Sometimes our requirements are large and sometimes our requirements are small. For this reason, we have different levels of registration and companies can choose the level at which they wish to register based on the size of their company and the size of contract that they are able to manage. A description of the different levels of registration and the requirements for each level can be found at Vendor Registration.

13. We have a new product that we believe the United Nations should know about; who should we talk to?

Contact information for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat Procurement can be found in the Contact Us section and on the  website for other Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

14. Can we deliver directly to the United Nations Secretariat in New York for goods destinated for example to Africa/Middle East, etc.?

Delivery requirements for purchases are usually specified in the tender documents (ITB, RFP). Delivery requirements may range from Ex-Works (EXW) to Delivered At Place (DAP) or Free Carrier (FCA). Your ability to comply with the stated delivery requirements will be factored into the evaluation process.

15. Should I want to meet with any United Nations Secretariat officials in the United States, New York, regarding our company's ability to provide services (or goods), can the United Nations issue me a business visa?

We are not authorized to issue visas. Visas to the United States can only be issued by the US Embassy or Consulate in your country.

16. How does the United Nations Secretariat pay vendors?

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat payment terms are normally net 30 days upon receipt of invoice and delivery of goods or performance of contractual services, whichever is later. Advance payments and progress payments prior to delivery of goods or performance of contractual services ordered may be approved on an exceptional basis at the discretion of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat, if such payments are required pursuant to normal commercial practice or considered to be in the interest of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ does not issue letters of credit.

17. Does the United Nations Secretariat require performance guarantee?

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat may require a successful contractor to furnish performance bonds in the United Nations standard format or similar forms of financial guarantee. The amount of performance bonds/guarantees will vary depending on the nature of the requirements. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ may also include a liquidated damages clause in its contractual documents in case adherence to the schedule of delivery of goods or performance of contractual services is critical to meet the requirements of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.

18. As a non-us based company, would it be advantageous if I appoint a us company or agent to act on my behalf?

No. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat procures goods and services on an international basis and we prefer to deal directly with Vendors. Presence in the United States will not result in any advantage for your company.

19. Does the United Nations Secretariat have a particular profile for vendors with whom it does business?

No. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Secretariat does business with vendors from all over the world guided, among others, by the Best Value for Money principle. Nevertheless, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ also represents 193 Member States, which guides it to diversify its vendor database in its business dealings. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is therefore constantly seeking to attract suppliers from countries and regions hitherto under-represented and is actively increasing its sources of supplies of goods and services from vendors in countries categorised as developing or with economies in transition.