The procurement regulatory framework for UNOPS is set forth in the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR).

UNOPS procurement procedures as well as instructions and further guidance for carrying out the procurement activities effectively and efficiently in compliance with UNOPS FRR and other applicable normative documents are provided in the UNOPS Procurement Manual.

General

Procurement is about ensuring the goods or services get to the customer at the right, time, price, quality, quantity, and place while ensuring that the following basic procurement principles are fully adhered to:

a) Best value for money
b) Fairness, integrity and transparency
c) Effective competition
d) The best interests of UNOPS and its clients

UNOPS:

• Procures directly from manufacturers and authorized representatives wherever possible
• Encourages suppliers to register in UNOPS database to receive tender notification
• Regards open international competition as the preferred type
• Procures goods that comply with recognized technical standards and generic specifications wherever possible
• Suspends companies that do not adhere to the highest ethical standards

Gifts and hospitality

UNOPS has adopted a zero tolerance policy on gifts.

Ethics

UNOPS treats all suppliers fairly and equally. UNOPS procurement staff are responsible for protecting the integrity of the procurement process and maintaining fairness in UNOPS treatment of all suppliers.

Suppliers must adhere to the highest ethical standards, both during the bidding process and throughout the execution of a contract. UNOPS has zero tolerance for unethical behaviour/corrupt practices, including:

• Bribery: the act of unduly offering, giving, receiving or soliciting anything of value to influence the procurement process
• Extortion or coercion: the act of attempting to influence the process of procuring goods or services, or executing contracts by means of threats of injury to person, property or reputation
• Fraud: misrepresentation of information or facts for the purpose of influencing the procurement process
• Collusion: an agreement between bidders designed to result in bids at artificial prices that are not competitive

UNOPS rejects requests to register vendors offers from suppliers who behave unethically. UNOPS may declare supplying firms, their boards of directors and/or individual personnel ineligible to register with UNOPS either indefinitely or for a stated period of time.

Bid protest

Suppliers perceiving that they have been unjustly or unfairly treated in connection with a solicitation, evaluation, or award of a contract, may complain to the UNOPS General Counsel, Mr James Provenzano, at JamesP@unops.org

Social responsibility

Suppliers must comply with UNOPS General Terms and Conditions which contain specific provisions proscribing landmines, child labour and sexual exploitation and supporting the fundamental rights of workers.

UNOPS does business only with those suppliers sharing its respect for fundamental human rights, social justice, human dignity and equal rights of men and women, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

UNOPS supports the Global Compact and encourages suppliers to participate. The Global Compact is a voluntary initiative covering human rights, labour rights and the environment. More information can be found on www.unglobalcompact.org.

Sustainable procurement

Environmentally responsible, sustainable or "green" procurement is the selection of goods and services that minimize environmental impacts. This means procurement that helps achieve goals such as conserving energy, water and other resources; reducing waste; phasing out use of ozone-depleting substances; and minimizing release of greenhouse gases and other substances damaging to health and the environment.

UNOPS is committed to sustainable procurement and ensures that environmental and health considerations are taken into account wherever possible during tender evaluation.