B -- NATO Notification of Intent to Issue an Invitation for International Competitive Bidding for a Study on IS Infrastructures between NATO and Non-NATO Actors in an Unclassified Environment

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 the provision of contracting support for the development of a study on information system infrastructures between NATO and Non-NATO Actors in an unclassified environment. HQ SACT is serving as the Host Nation for this project, which was authorized by the MBC. HQ SACT intends to use the sealed bid procedure involving possible pre-award discussions. Partial bidding is not allowed. The estimated value of this project is not available at this time. The reference for this project is IFIB-ACT-SACT-07-14 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. SCOPE OF PROJECT HQ SACT is seeking contractor support for the development of a study on possible information system (IS) infrastructures by which NATO can interact with non-NATO actors both in times of peace, periods of emerging tension, and during conflict operations. This study will examine the current and planned NATO unclassified IS environment and recommend suitable applications and infrastructures with which NATO can interact with non-NATO actors, making a recommendation as to the benefits and shortfalls of each as well as a best overall recommendation. The non-NATO actors include but are not limited to the United Nations, European Union, Partnership for Peace, Red Cross, OXFAM, as well as local and national governments. Firms that have performed similar contracts within the last three years similar in scope to the requirement described in the solicitation are eligible to apply. 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. Please note that it is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) forwards to the Host Nation the NATO clearance certifications for all personnel assigned to the contract. The IFIB package will contain material at the level of NATO UNCLASSIFIED. The work will be performed at HQ SACT in Norfolk VA. There may be, however, a requirement for travel to additional sites in support of the contract. BIDDING PROCEDURE Before a firm can be nominated to the bidders list for this procurement, it must be approved for participation in NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB). The U.S. Department of Commerce is authorized to approve for participation in NATO ICB those firms with a facility located within the United States. Once approved, the firm will be nominated to the bidders list. Please visit the following website for instructions on applying for approval to participate in NATO ICB: http://www.bis.doc.gov/defenseindustrialbaseprograms/OSIES/NATOprograms/index.htm A firm that has been approved for participation in NATO ICB must request that the U.S. Department of Commerce issue 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 Host Nation. The Host Nation will not accept requests for nomination received directly from firms. The IFIB documents for this procurement will be made available on the Host Nation?s website: http://www.act.nato.int/budfin/rfpmain.htm As provided for under MBC rules, nominations to the bidders list will continue to be accepted by the Host Nation after the IFIB is issued and until the bid closing date. Target bid closing date: 16 November 2007 Period of Performance (to be confirmed): 1 January 2008 ? 31 December 2008 with the possibility of three option years (1 January - 31 December 2009, 2010, 2011)