Most procurement activity is managed in Rome Headquarters with delegated authority to Regional, Sub-Regional and Liaison offices, FAO Representations and projects. The Procurement Service (AFSP), with few exceptions, has overall responsibility for procurement with commercial firms. AFSP is located in the Administrative Services Division of the Administration and Finance Department. The Director of the Administrative Services Division is authorized to approve and sign all procurement actions and is therefore the Chief Procurement Officer of the Organization. Field Offices have delegated authority to procure goods within specified limits either locally through Local Orders or internationally through Field Purchase Orders (FPOs). These offices may also contract for works and services within their delegated authority. The limits are US$ 25,000 for FAO Representation Offices and projects, US$ 50,000 for Sub-Regional Offices and US$ 100,000 for Regional Offices.
The Procurement Service is responsible for all procurement actions with commercial firms in excess of the authority delegated to Field Offices. Specifically, the Procurement Service is responsible for the preparation, issuance and monitoring of Purchase Orders, the control of Field Purchase Orders, the production, issuance and monitoring of contracts and amendments, the maintenance of the Organization's inventory of non-expendable assets and the insurance of official material. It is also responsible for all import and export procedures for the Organization's official material and supplies.
Types of Works and Services procured Services required and contracted for are related to the Organization's technical fields of activity such as natural resource management, animal health, hazardous waste removal and construction related to agricultural development. They also include building, cleaning, general maintenance, catering, insurance, systems and software development, systems programming and maintenance, telecommunications and training.
Procurement Data for Works & Services Types of Goods/Commodities procured Goods purchased include equipment generally related to the agricultural sector, vehicles, industrial materials and finished products, communications equipment, building, irrigation and construction equipment; office equipment and supplies. Furthermore, through its enhanced mandate regarding emergency operations, the Organization purchases large quantities of seeds, tools, fertilisers, pesticides and agricultural supplements. The Organization also procures duty-free items for sale in its Commissary, and services for the Department of General Affairs and Information (GI).
Procurement Data for Goods 
