NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB): Provision of NATO Biometrics Identity Intelligence Capability for Kosovo Force (KFOR)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) intends to issue an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the provision of NATO Biometrics Identity Intelligence (I2) capability at Kosovo Force (KFOR) Area of Operations. The scope of work is to procure, deploy, install, and test portable biometric equipment and to provide enrollment, maintenance, and updates. The scope of work also includes provision of the training on the use of the procured equipment. Potential U.S. prime contractors must 1) maintain a professionally active facility (office, factory, laboratory, etc.) within the United States, 2) be pre-approved for participation in NATO International Competitive Bidding (ICB), 3) hold a Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET or higher, and 4) be issued a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) by the U.S. Government. In addition, execution of the proposed contract may require unescorted access and work of contractor personnel at NATO Class II security areas. In accordance with NATO Security Policy, personnel of the winning bidder will be required to hold individual security clearances of SECRET or higher. Only companies maintaining such cleared facilities and the appropriate personnel clearances will be able to perform the resulting contract. As this is a NATO procurment and not a U.S. Government procurement, NAICS code restrictions do not apply. Please note that it is anticipated that the IFB will contain provisions requiring bidders to clearly demonstrate in their bid their technical capability and years of relevant experience in the field of biometric equipment, installation services, and training delivery to ensure bids are received from qualified companies. The reference for the IFB is IFB-CO-115657-NBIIC and all correspondence concerning the IFB should reference this number. The successful bid pursuant to the IFB will be that bid that is the lowest price and technically compliant in accordance with the evaluation criteria prescribed in the IFB. It is planned to award a single contract for the entire scope of work. No partial bidding will be accepted. The envisaged contract vehicle is Firm Fixed Price (FFP) with award to one contractor. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS Please see attached. BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO BID NATO ICB requires that the U.S. Government issue a DOE for potential U.S. prime contractors interested in this project. Before the U.S. Government can do so, however, the U.S. Government must approve the U.S. firm for participation in NATO ICB. U.S. firms are approved for NATO ICB on a facility-by-facility basis. The U.S. NATO ICB application is a one-time application. The application requires supporting documentation in the form of 1) a company resume or capability statement indicating contracts completed as a prime contractor and 2) an annual report or set of financial documents indicating compilation, review, or audit by an independent CPA. U.S. firms can download a copy of the U.S. NATO ICB application from the following website: http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/nato-related-business-opportunities The Department of Commerce (DOC) is the U.S. Government agency that approves NATO ICB applications. Please submit to the email address provided your application and supporting documentation (as attachments). If your firm is interested in a specific NATO ICB project at this time, please also include the following in the text of your email: - the title and/or solicitation number of the project - the name/phone/email of the company employee who should receive the bid documents After approval of your one-time NATO ICB application, DOC will then know to follow up by issuing a DOE for the project. DOC will transmit the DOE to the NATO contracting agency. IMPORTANT DATES: Request a DOE (and, for firms new to NATO ICB, submit the completed one-time NATO ICB application): 25 April 2022 NCI Agency distributes the IFB (planned): Q3 2022 Bid Closing (target): TBD Contract Award (anticipated): 4Q 2022