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HOME: ABOUT UNFPA: PROCUREMENT: FAQs-Suppliers
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Frequently Asked Questions : Suppliers

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What kind of commodities does UNFPA procure?

UNFPA’s annual procurement volume ranges between approximately US$ 80 million to US$ 100 million. In a typical year, around 60% of this value goes towards contraceptive procurement, medical equipment represents about 8%-10%, vehicles and office equipment including computers stands for around 5%-8% respectively. For more detailed information see procurement statistics.

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How can I register as a supplier to the United Nations Population Fund?

By sending a written application with a brief summary of your product/service range accompanied; by a short form brochure if you have one, and a recent annual report or financial statement, so that we can determine if your company supplies products/services which we buy. More details can be found on the on-line supplier registration form.

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Does a UNFPA registration allow me to compete for UNFPA contracts?

For commodities and services other than contraceptives and medical equipments:

If your company is internationally recognized or known to us from the past, a supplier registration is sufficient for us to place orders. If, on the other hand, we do not know your company, we might ask you for additional information before we place orders with you.
 

For contraceptives, medical equipments and/or services:

The answer is no. A supplier of the above commodities need to be “pre-qualified” by UNFPA in order to be allowed to compete for UNFPA contracts. During the pre-qualification process, UNFPA asks you to submit documentary evidence of your manufacturing capabilities, production and marketing licenses, quality certifications and financial statements (see Pre-qualification criteria for detailed description of required documentation). If the documentary evidence is deemed to be in order, UNFPA will send a team of internationally recognized inspectors to verify that your production facilities and products meet WHO recommendations. The cost of the inspection will be shared between UNFPA and your company. If your company is deemed to be in compliance with WHO recommendations, UNFPA will list your company as a pre-qualified supplier and you will be invited to compete for business with UNFPA. You may contact UNFPA at any time for pre-qualification.

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I have registered with UNFPA but I have never been invited to bid.

This may be because the product or service you offer is rarely required, and we simply haven't needed to buy it. Or, if we have bought it, we might have purchased very small amounts/low values of it and in these instances, we normally use suppliers already known to us.

Please check our web page frequently for current bids.

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Does a registration with UNFPA mean that my company automatically is registered for doing business with the whole of the United Nations?

The answer is no. If you are interested in doing business with other UN Agencies, funds or programmes we recommend that you contact each concerned entity directly. You may also register with the UN Common Supplier Database (UNCSD), which is accessible by all participating UN agencies, funds, and programmes. However, note that registering with UNCSD does not automatically register your company with UNFPA or any other UN entity.

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What requests for bids/proposals are currently available?

Click here for current bids.

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Are UNFPA purchases tax/duty free?

As an inter-governmental organization, the UN is exempt from payment of taxes and duties for its purchases.

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Could you give me names of people from UNFPA Procurement who are in charge of (e.g. contraceptives, computers, vehicles, office supplies, etc.)?

Click here for Procurement Officer contact information.

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We have a new product that we believe could be on interest to UNFPA . Who should we talk to?

Click here for Procurement Officer contact information.

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Can we deliver directly to UNFPA  in New York for goods going to (Africa/Arab States & Eastern Europe/Asia & the Pacific/Latin America)?

Not normally. If the goods are destined for outside of UNFPA HQ, we normally require them to be supplied ex-works, FOB, CPT or DDU.

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I'm calling from.... I want to meet with any U.N. official in the United States, New York, regarding our company's ability to provide services (or goods). Can UNFPA give me a business visa?

We are not authorized to issue visas. Visas to the United States can only be issued by the US Embassy or Consulate in your country.

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How does UNFPA pay suppliers?

UNFPA’s payment terms are normally net 30 days upon receipt of invoice and delivery of goods or performance of contractual services, whichever is later. Advance payments (such as for subscriptions) and progress payments prior to delivery of goods or performance of contractual services ordered may be approved on an exceptional basis if such payments are required pursuant to normal commercial practice or considered to be in the interest of UNFPA.

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As a non-US based company, would it be advantaged if I appointed a US company or agent to act on my behalf?

The answer is no. In fact, UNFPA prefers to deal directly with the prime manufacturer, especially in case of contraceptives and medical equipment.

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