1. Introduction
1.1.
The procedures applicable to the procurement of goods and/or services by UNHCR Headquarters or UNHCR offices in the field (other than contractual arrangements for the employment of staff) vary according to the US dollar value (at the prevailing United Nations rate of exchange) of the goods or services, and are described below.
1.2
For all purchases of substantial quantities of relief or other supplies by UNHCR offices in the field, Representatives should nominate a purchasing/logistics focal point with a clear line of responsibility. Local purchases will be initiated by, or at least cleared with, the purchasing/logistics focal point. In all circumstances, including the evaluation of contracts for the supply of goods and services or consultancies, the procedures described below will apply. The term "Purchase Order" is to be read as also applying to other forms of authorization used in relation to contracts for services or corporate or institutional consultancies.
1.3
In all cases of procurement of goods and/or services, the procedures and controls applied should be in accordance with Appendix 8 of Chapter 4 of the UNHCR Manual and must provide an open, competitive, qualitative and accountable process to obtain such goods or services which meet project requirements at the lowest available cost. It is the responsibility of the addressee of the Letter of Instruction to ensure that the relevant procedures are adhered to.
1.4
All contracts entered into for the procurement of goods and/or services should ensure exemption from, or reimbursement of, all customs duties, levies and direct taxes on services and goods, supplies or any other articles imported or domestically purchased.
1.5
It is the responsibility of the Representative to ensure that each UNHCR office in the field maintains a register of all commercial contracts entered into and that a sequential number is assigned to every such contract.
1.7 For a value of less than US$ 2,500
A Purchase Order may be issued without recourse to formal tender, provided that funds are available under the Letter of Instruction and that at least three informal offers or prices have been considered and the best offer has been selected.
1.8 For a value of over US$ 2,500 and up to US$ 5,000
A Purchase Order may be issued provided that funds are available under the Letter of Instruction and that at least three informal quotations have been compared and the best offer has been selected. A written record of the quotations and the reasons for the selection must be kept.
1.9 For a value of over US$ 5,000 and up to US$ 50,000
A Purchase Order may be issued provided that funds are available under the Letter of Instruction and that selection has been made on the basis of at least three competitive offers obtained in response to a formal Quotation Request sent to selected suppliers inviting them to submit sealed quotations within a specified time frame. Chart 3.F and Annex VIII of the Supplies and Food Aid Field Handbook provide guidelines and an example of a Quotation Request. The Quotation Request must stipulate that all offers must be received at the UNHCR office in signed and sealed envelopes and marked with the Quotation Request number. All quotations received must remain sealed and must be kept under lock and key until the expiration of the bid deadline. All bids must be opened before a witness by the Administrative Officer or the Officer in charge of administration in the office, and must be initialled by both the person opening the bids and the witness. The witness shall be selected by the Representative and drawn from the professional or national officer categories. All formal quotations will be compared on a Tabulation of Bids form as per Annex IX of the Supplies and Food Aid Field Handbook. The recommended supplier and the reasons for selecting that supplier will be stated thereon.
1.10 For a value of over US$ 50,000 and up to US$ 100,000
Representatives will establish a Purchasing Committee to consider bids and to make the appropriate recommendations.
