The Belgian Ministry of Defnse, in the name and on behalf of NATO, has announced an Invitation for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for construction of a new headquarters for NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and an annex for the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to be built on the SHAPE compound in Mons, Belgium.
Potential U.S. prime contractors must 1) maintain a professionally active facility (office, factory, laboratory, etc.) within the United States, 2) be pre-approved for participation in NATO ICB, 3) hold a Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET, and 4) be issued a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) by the Department of Commerce (DOC).
The reference for the ICB is ICB-23VPA03 and all correspondence concerning the ICB should include this reference.
The construction works contract is for a new SHAPE Headquarters and a new NCIA building. This contract includes a period of technical equipment maintenance during the period of warranty.
For SHAPE, the project consists of a tertiary complex of approximately 132,000 m2 gross, divided into two main entities, the Core Business Building and the Admin Building. The project is complemented by ancillary works of 7,500 m2.
For NCIA, the project consists of a single entity with a gross surface area of 25,000 m2.
These buildings will have 5 to 8 levels, including a basement. The two projects will occupy a plot of approximately 21 hectares, with constraints related to existing buildings and security parameters to be respected.
According to this procedure, the contract will be awarded to the lowest-priced compliant bidder meeting all requirements of the tendering documents.
ATTACHMENTS
The Questionnaire describes the conditions that must be met if your firm wants to be considered as a potential contractor.
Annex B must be completed and submitted to DOC along with your request for a DOE (and, for firms new to NATO ICB, the completed one-time NATO ICB application). DOC will transmit Annex B and the DOE to the Project Managment Team.
BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO BID
NATO ICB requires that the U.S. Government issue a DOE for potential U.S. prime contractors interested in this project. Before the U.S. Government can do so, however, the U.S. Government must approve the U.S. firm for participation in NATO ICB. U.S. firms are approved for NATO ICB on a facility-by-facility basis.
The U.S. NATO ICB application is a one-time application. The application requires supporting documentation in the form of 1) a company resume or capability statement indicating contracts completed as a prime contractor and 2) an annual report or set of financial documents indicating compilation, review, or audit by an independent CPA.
U.S. firms can download a copy of the U.S. NATO ICB application from the following website:
https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/nato-related-business-opportunities
DOC is the U.S. Government agency that approves NATO ICB applications. Please submit to the email address provided your application and supporting documentation (as attachments). If your firm is interested in a specific NATO ICB project at this time, please also include the following in the TEXT of your email.
the title and/or solicitation number of the project
- the name/phone/email of the company employee who should receive the bid documents
After approval of your one-time NATO ICB application, DOC will then know to follow up by issuing a DOE for the project. DOC will transmit the DOE to the NATO contracting agency.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Submit Annext B/Request a DOE (and, for firms new to NATO ICB, submit the completed one-time NATO ICB application): 21 April 2025
Distritution of tender documents (planned): July 2025
Bid Closing (planned): November 2025
Contract Award (estimated): TBD
Period of Performance: 48 calendar months for the construction, with an additional period for warranty and maintenance of 4 years for the SHAPE complex and 2 years for the NCIA building.
Background
The Belgian Ministry of Defense, on behalf of NATO, is seeking international competitive bids for the construction of a new headquarters for NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and an annex for the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) in Mons, Belgium. This initiative aims to enhance NATO's operational capabilities and provide modern facilities for its personnel.
Potential U.S. prime contractors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including maintaining a professional facility in the U.S., being pre-approved for NATO ICB participation, holding a Facility Security Clearance at the level of SECRET, and obtaining a Declaration of Eligibility from the Department of Commerce.
Work Details
The contract encompasses the construction of two main buildings: a Core Business Building and an Admin Building for SHAPE, totaling approximately 132,000 m² gross area, along with ancillary works covering 7,500 m². The NCIA building will be a single entity with a gross surface area of 25,000 m². Both projects will feature 5 to 8 levels including basements and will be situated on a plot of approximately 21 hectares, adhering to existing building constraints and security parameters.
The contract also includes provisions for technical equipment maintenance during the warranty period.
Period of Performance
The construction period is set for 48 calendar months, followed by an additional warranty and maintenance period of 4 years for the SHAPE complex and 2 years for the NCIA building.
Place of Performance
Mons, Belgium
