Once a supplier has researched the United Nations market and has identified the agency or agencies with which it wishes to conduct business, it must commit itself to establishing long-term relationships with U.N. officials and procurement officers at an agency's headquarters and field offices. Frequently, these relationships provide valuable additional information to suppliers about upcoming contracts, technical specifications for these contracts, and existing competition for a contract award that would not otherwise be available. Nevertheless, there is no substitute for personal relationships with procurement officers, who can provide added insight to the procurement process. Most U.N. agencies select suppliers for larger contracts from supplier rosters. Companies and individual consultants must register to be placed on these rosters.
Registration forms are available from procurement offices and from many agency websites.
Registration is typically used to pre-qualify potential suppliers. Applications are generally evaluated on the basis of past experience, a supplier's ability to perform, the relevance of the goods or services to the agency's requirements, and the financial solvency of the supplier. Once accepted, suppliers are placed on the roster. Inclusion on a roster does not, however, ensure that a company will be included in all supplier solicitations. It means only that a registered company will be given equal consideration in the selection process.