Basic Ordering Agreements
The default procurement method for NATO common funded contracts is International Competitive Bidding (ICB). However, NATO member nations have also approved a contracting procedure known as a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), which is widely used by the NC3A.
This involves a contract being negotiated and placed centrally with a supplier for a specified range of goods and services. All basic contract provisions are agreed including prices (or a definitive pricing methodology). Individual orders may then be placed against the central contract, usually following a competative bidding procedure.
Note: BOAs are sometimes called System Contracts (US) or Demand Ordering or Enabling Contracts (UK).
NC3A has already negotiated 511 BOAs, 21% of which are with UK companies, more than any other nation. These BOAs cover:
- Communication and Information Systems;
- a wide variety of commercial computer products including hardware (PCs);
- a large range of software;
- information technology support and maintenance services;
- consultancy and engineering support; and
- other office machinery including photocopiers
The UK Delegation to NATO strongly recommends that UK companies interested in supplying these (and other) types of products and services to NATO should register for a BOA.
Further information and NC3A points of contact for BOAs can be found on their website.
