What is the purpose of UNOPS Procurement Services?

UNOPS uses its knowledge, expertise and integrity to provide clients with required goods or services. Governments and non-profit organizations can utilize UNOPS procurement expertise in their efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, thereby developing national procurement capacity.

Who may use UNOPS Procurement Services?

UNOPS provides procurement services for:

• Governments
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• United Nations Agencies
• International Financial Institutions
• Philanthropic organizations
• Universities

What does it cost to use Procurement Services?

UNOPS makes no profit but must recover its costs by charging a handling fee.

Upon request, UNOPS can provide clients customized packages of technical, logistical or managerial support. The cost of such assistance is determined on a case-by-case basis.

What does it cost to ship goods?

The cost of shipment and insurance of goods is included in the cost estimate. Freight and insurance is charged at cost price using UNOPS-contracted freight forwarders at competitive rates.

UNOPS freight forwarders deliver the goods to the port of entry closest to the project site. For shipments by air, the port of entry is the nearest major international airport. For sea shipments, the port of entry is the nearest, major, international seaport. The seaport of entry for land-locked countries varies on a case-by-case basis.

What is the minimum order value?

The minimum order value is $50,000 (United States dollars).

Are UNOPS products available to procure online?

UNOPS offers some goods online on its United Nations WebBuy catalogue. Please contact UN WebBuy for further details.

What is the role of UNOPS operations centres and regional offices in Procurement Services?

The UNOPS operations centre is normally the first point of contact for many clients and often signs memorandums of understanding on behalf of UNOPS.

In most procurement transactions work is shared between the Global Service Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the UNOPS office in the country where the goods and services will be used.

In this way clients benefit from UNOPS technical expertise, global market overview and competitive prices and well as its presence on the ground and specialized local knowledge.

How are suppliers selected?

UNOPS suppliers are carefully chosen through competitive bidding processes. Selection is based on a review of suppliers’ quality, systems and organization, their adherence to ethical standards and their capacity and financial health.

UNOPS continuously evaluates its suppliers. Samples of products are assessed before contracts are awarded and quality checks take place before goods are shipped or received.

Can clients have special markings on their goods?

Yes. Please inform UNOPS of any special requirements at the earliest opportunity.