To fight hunger across the world, FAO relies on a strong supply chain consisting of international network of reliable and reputable Vendors. Annually, FAO procures more than USD 150 million of goods, works and services from Vendors globally. Within any given project, there can be multiple business opportunities for interested and able Vendors.
FAO acquires goods, works and services on the basis of a formal contract award procedure generally following a competitive procurement process. Participation in the solicitation process is based on invitation to registered, pre-selected Vendors.
To do business with FAO, a Vendor must be registered using the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM), Vendor registration portal. Details of the Vendor registration process can be found by on the Vendor Registration page.
Submitting a completed application through the UNGM does not mean that a vendor will automatically be invited to tender. Invitation will depend on a company's experience, its ability to perform, financial soundness as well as the relevance of the goods, works or services offered.
All suppliers working with FAO must accept and abide by the FAO General Terms and Conditions for Goods or the FAO General Terms and Conditions for Services, and suppliers must agree to abide by the UN Supplier Code of Conduct. Suppliers and all subcontractors must also provide reasonable access to their premises to conduct on-site evaluations and inspections as required. As of 1 January 2014, FAO has also introduced a Vendor Sanctions Policy. Any bidders, vendors, service providers or implementing partners, as well as their agents that, following an investigation, are determined to have been involved with Sanctionable Actions by the FAO Vendor Sanctions Committee, will be sanctioned by FAO. For more information, see Vendor Sanctions.
All suppliers working with FAO must not be debarred by FAO or other UN or Intergovernmental Organizations, including any organization within the World Bank Group or any multi-lateral development bank, or by the institutions and bodies of transnational economic integration organizations (e.g., of the European Union). FAO also considers as ineligible suppliers associated with individuals and entities associated with terrorism, as included in the list maintained by the Security Council Committee pursuant to its Resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1898 (2011), or that are the subject of sanctions or other enforcement measures promulgated by the United Nations Security Council.
Depending on the value of the procurement action, methods of solicitation may include:
- Very Low Value Procurement (under USD 1,000 for HQ and USD 500 for Field Offices)
- Request for Quotation (RFQ) (under USD 5,000)
- Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Invitation to Bid (ITB)
Tips for doing business with FAO:
- Register your company using UNGM.
- Keep information about your company and its products and/or services updated.
- Prepare Responsive Offers that meet the requirements in the call for tenders.
- Strictly comply with the tender closing deadlines.
- Keep trying, even if you do not succeed on the first try.
