U -- NATO Notification of Intent (NOI) to issue an Invitation for International Bidding (IFIB) for contracting support to the Protocol Officer in support of Allied Command Transformation (ACT)

The NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (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 to provide contracting support to the Protocol Officer at Headquarters (HQ) SACT in Norfolk, VA. HQ SACT is serving as the Host Nation for this project, which was authorized by the MBC. HQ SACT intends to use basic two envelope bidding procedure. Partial bidding is authorized. The estimated value of this project is $360,000 USD with the potential to be renewed for an additional two years. The reference for this project is ACT-SACT-05-93 and all correspondence in relation to this procurement shall refer to this reference. The U.S. Department of Commerce will be using as its reference IFIB-ACT-SACT-05-93. SCOPE OF PROJECT HQ SACT is soliciting contractor support for two positions to assist the ACT Protocol Office. Duties and responsibilities include: 1. Support and coordinate logistics for all events, seminars, exercises, and conferences, including transportation, accommodation and supporting schedules of events. 2. Execute and effective comprehensive Distinguished Visitor Program. 3. Serve as program manager for Protocol-support functions, including coordinating all arrangements for VIP visits and National Day Ceremonies. ELIGIBILITY The IFIB package will contain material classified up to NATO UNCLASSIFIED. Companies which have performed similar contracts within the last five years substantially similar in scope to the requirement described in the solicitation. Contractor personnel performing services under the contract must be citizens of a NATO nation and possess at least a valid NATO SECRET level security clearance and have a minimum three years experience in a related field. Firms must be nominated by their National Authorities with the required Declaration of Eligibility along with verification of their security clearances (if applicable). Requests for participation received directly from firms cannot be considered. COMPANY CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES All firms whose facility is located within the United States must be declared eligible by the U.S. Department of Commerce in order to be deemed eligible to bid. The U.S. Department of Commerce does not serve as the Host Nation for NATO projects. The Host Nation is HQ SACT. Only firms that the U.S. Department of Commerce has declared eligible will be allowed to bid. A Declaration of Eligibility (nomination letter) will be submitted on their behalf to the Host Nation. Please visit the following website for more information on applying for the required Declaration of Eligibility: http://www.bis.doc.gov/defenseindustrialbaseprograms/OSIES/NATOprograms/index.htm BIDDING PROCEDURES Those firms that are declared eligible and are nominated to bid by their National Authorities will be added to an electronic distribution list of firms eligible to bid on this ICB project. When the Invitation for International Bidding (IFIB) is issued, those firms will be notified electronically and will be instructed to download the tender documents on the following website: http://www.act.nato.int/budfin/rfpmain.htm. However, as provided for under MBC rules, nominations from interested firms will continue to be accepted by the Host Nation after the IFIB is issued and until the bid closing date. IMPORTANT DEADLINES 1. Deadline to be placed on the electronic bidder distribution list: 21 November 2005 2. Planned Release Date of the Invitation for International Bidding (IFIB): TBD 3. Planned Bid Closing Date: 6 January 2006