Participating in the TC programme as supplier

Office of Procurement Services (OPS) purchases all equipment, supplies, and contracted services required for the Agency's Technical Cooperation (TC) Projects and Research Contracts. This amounts to over 4 000 purchase orders to 900 suppliers for 12 000 items, and $30 million per year. The OPS conducts bidding, awards and administers contracts/orders and processes payment to vendors. The recipients of equipment or services are the beneficiaries of TC projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East or Eastern Europe.

Most of the orders are for specialized nuclear equipment and services to be used for applications in agriculture, biology, chemistry, hydrology, industry, medicine, nuclear safety and physics. However, a wide range of general laboratory equipment and supplies, and other items are also purchased.

In common with other organizations in the United Nations family, the IAEA procurement is normally conducted by international competitive bidding. Notices are announced through UNDP's Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (IAPSO). The procurement cycle is, briefly, as follows:

• In consultation with the project end user, the IAEA Technical Officer prepares a request for procurement for the equipment and services required for a particular IAEA TC project or research contract. This includes technical specifications, delivery schedule, and other requirements (compatibility with existing equipment, availability of local service and other pertinent conditions, etc.).
• OPS initiates competitive bidding on a wide international basis. Suitable potential bidders are identified through the recommendations of the Technical Officer and the end user, and OPS vendor database. If the estimated value exceeds $150,000, special sealed bid tender procedures are used.
• After the bids are received, the Technical Officer may be requested to make a technical evaluation. The Procurement Officer awards the order to the lowest bidder that meets all the requirements in accordance with the IAEA Financial Rules.
• Equipment is shipped by the supplier according to the directions on the order, normally directly to the end user. The equipment is donated by the IAEA to the recipient country. The consignee may be the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Office in the recipient country to facilitate issuance of an exemption certificate for duty/tax free import. The vendor is required to send a shipping advice via e-mail or FAX to the IAEA, the end user, and the UNDP.
• The IAEA Vienna effects payment after shipment. The payment terms are net 30 upon receipt of invoice and a proof of shipment (Air Waybill or Bill of Lading). Equipment is insured automatically under the IAEA Global Insurance Policy from the supplier's door to the end user's site. The transfer of title from the IAEA to the end user is effected immediately after customs clearance in the recipient country.

If you are not now a supplier to the IAEA and would be interested in registering, please use the form provided in the feedback page, stating the full name, address, and telecommunications information for your company, together with a description of the equipment or services you can provide.