The United Nations procurement market is a global market where UN Organizations purchase goods and services to support their activities and operations.
If considering working with the UN, it is important to understand that the UN is made up of many different Organizations. Each Organization has its own mandate, activities and procurement needs.
Do all UN Organizations buy the same things?
No, they do not. UN Organizations work in different areas and have different operational needs. As a result, the goods and services they purchase can vary significantly.
This means that a product or service regularly purchased by one UN Organization may not be relevant to another.
How to identify relevant UN Organizations?
Start by identifying the UN Organizations whose work and procurement needs are relevant to your business.
We recommend:
- Learn about their activities and areas of work.
- Review the goods and services they procure.
- Check their procurement plans, where available.
- Search for their procurement opportunities on UNGM.
- Learn about the registration and procurement requirements that apply to each Organization.
Learn more: How to become familiar with the UN market?
How do UN Organizations procure?
UN Organizations use different procurement methods depending on the nature and value of the requirement and the applicable rules.
Procurement opportunities published on UNGM may include:
- Requests for Expressions of Interest
- Requests for Proposals
- Requests for Quotations
- Invitations to Bid
- Requests for Information
- Pre-qualification notices
- Other types of procurement opportunities
The method of participation can vary. Depending on the procurement process, participants may be required to submit an offer through an e-procurement system, via email, or using another method specified in the notice.
Always read the procurement opportunity and accompanying documents carefully and follow the instructions provided by the relevant UN Organization.
How can UNGM help?
UNGM brings procurement information from participating UN Organizations together on a common platform.
Use UNGM to:
- Search for procurement opportunities.
- Find information about UN Organizations and their procurement activities.
- Review procurement plans and contract awards, where available.
- Learn about UN procurement processes.
Remember: registering on UNGM does not guarantee a contract or an invitation to participate in every procurement opportunity. Users should regularly search for opportunities that match their products or services.