ISAF Contracting Personnel Meet with Afghan Business Community

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

05.22.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Lucelia Ball 

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – Contracting personnel from International Security Assistance Force Headquarters met with Afghan vendors Wednesday to discuss the contracting process for NATO common funding in support of ISAF.

About 60 merchants attended the Afghan Local Procurement Workshop, joined by members of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency and the Afghanistan Industrial Union.

"All were invited because they were registered with Peace Dividend Trust – Afghanistan, an international non-profit and non-governmental organization that helps streamline local procurement activities in order to strengthen the Afghan private sector."

Lt. Col. Nathan Rump, ISAF head of contracting, gave an overview of the ISAF award process, which included the thresholds for quotes and compliance with NATO guidelines. He also discussed common mistakes that bidders make that could potentially disqualify them when contracting for commodities, services or construction projects.

"If you want to work with us, we are always happy to help guide you through the process," he said.

Rump also discussed a new venture with NATO, the pending Afghan First initiative, which would allow the contracting office to make more extensive use Afghan of businesses, which in the long-term, would help to improve the Afghan economy.

"Last year, 33 percent of our contracts went to local businesses," he said. "This year, we are up to 50 percent."

The colonel said that the initiative is still in its beginnings, and proper guidance hasn't been released by NATO, but he anticipated it would be coming soon.

He acknowledged that the process was complex, but encouraged the vendors to remain persistent in their pursuit of a contract.

"We have some businesses that are performing very well on some small projects for us," he said. "Those people will probably be invited to bid on larger projects in the future."

The group next listened to Robert Young, a representative of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency, who explained the contracting process for his agency and how to register to get information on potential customer requirements.

"I think this workshop helped me understand better how to pursue more business for my company," said Hashmat Saahil, the general manager of mineral water company that has been in business for four years. "When we first started out, we got some contacts and sent some emails, but we had no luck getting a contract until we learned how to apply for contracts properly. Workshops like this one will help our businesses be successful."

Another merchant was a staunch advocate of supporting local businesses.

"When the military buys a water tank from a non-Afghan company, it can cost thousands of dollars to transport it from far away," said Muhmmad Arif, the executive director of the Afghan Industrial Union and the director of a sports equipment company. "An Afghan business can provide the same quality water tank for much less than that because we don't have the same transportation issues. Afghan First will help both sides."

The plan for the future is to set up multiple-day training sessions to guide merchants through the process.

"We want to do everything we can to open the door for Afghan local procurement," said Young.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2010
• Date Posted: 05.22.2010 02:35
• Story ID: 50084
• Location: KABUL, AF