Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I register as a supplier to UNRWA?

   Fill out and submit the contact form for suppliers with a brief summary of your product/service range, so that we can determine if your company supplies products/services which we buy. Accordingly, you will be sent a company profile form with all the information on requirements for registration.
   

2. Is there information on requests for bids / proposals?

   Yes. Click here
   

3. I have been approved as a vendor, 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 until now.
   

4. I heard there is a bid going on for "xyz" product or service. I want to participate. Whom shall I contact?

   You are encouraged to contact the Procurement and Logistics Division. Please note that you will still need to undertake the  registration process before your firm would be considered.
   

5. Are UNRWA purchases tax/duty free?

   As a part of the United Nations, UNRWA is pursuant to the 1946 convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, exempt from customs duties and is usually exempt from excise duties and taxes.
   

6. As a US firm, should my company quote be based on the GSA contract?

   The UN seeks the lowest price you can offer, which may not necessarily be that of the GSA contract.
   

7. We are producers/manufacturers of "xyz". Can we invite UNRWA to attend when we hold demonstrations in our country?

   The Procurement and Logistics Division does not normally make specific visits to individual companies. However, the UN system regularly organizes business seminars that include visits to select industries. Future locations of such seminars will be placed on our web site.
   

8. Could you give me names of people from UNRWA who are in charge of supplies (e.g. computers, office supplies, etc.).

   You will be advised of the appropriate contacts to your products/services when your registration has been completed.
   

9. We have a new product that we believe UNRWA should know about. Whom should we talk to?

   See above
   

10. How much is the minimum fixed assets - net worth required to qualify as a supplier to the UN?

    This depends on the value of the supply/service for which you are hoping to be considered.
    

11. Does the Procurement and Logistics Division conduct purchases for the whole United Nations system?

    No. The Procurement and Logistics Division procures only for UNRWA and its Field Offices. The Field Offices also have delegated authorities to carry out their own local procurement up to established financial limits. Purchases beyond these limits are conducted by the Procurement and Logistics Division in Headquarters, Amman. Other UN agencies, funds, and programmes carry out their own procurement activities within their own established rules.
    

12. Does this mean that I have to individually contact each agency, fund, and programme?

    You may register with the UN Global Marketplace which is accessible by all participating UN agencies, funds, and programmes. However, we also recommend direct contacts if possible.
    

13. I am going to visit you. Can the UNRWA give me a business visa?

    We are not authorized to issue visas.
    

14. How the does UNRWA pay suppliers?

    UNRWA normally pays to the supplier on the basis of net 45 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 at the discretion of UNRWA if such payments are required pursuant to normal commercial practice or considered to be in the interest of the UNRWA. UNRWA does not issue letters of credit.
    

15. Does UNRWA require performance guarantees?

    UNRWA may require a successful contractor to furnish performance bonds in UNRWA standard format or similar forms of guarantee. The amount of performance bonds/guarantees will vary depending on the nature of the requirements. For example, in case of construction contracts, UNRWA calls for performance bonds and labour and material bonds in sums equal to the total contract price. UNRWA may also include a liquidated damage clause in its contractual documents in case adherence to the schedule of delivery of goods or performance of contractual services is critical to meet the requirements of UNRWA.

16. Please tell me more about UNRWA's Environmental policies

    UNRWA supports the UN Global Compact Initiative - put forward  on 31 January 1999, by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that would bring companies together with UN agencies, labor and civil society to support ten principles in the areas of the environment, human rights, labor and anti-corruption.  Consequently we have  included environmental factors in our pre-qualification criteria for approval of suppliers and even in our tendering and tender evaluation process. We request from our potential suppliers to fill in and submit our Environmental Management Questionnaire (available in PDF, Word) as part of the supplier pre-qualification  process.

17. I am a supplier. How can I send my feedback to UNRWA ?

    Please  fill in our supplier feedback form

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