NATO Business Opportunity: Capability Development Management Support (CDMS)

Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for contractor support for Capability Development Management Support (CDMS).

U.S. Prime Contractors and Subcontractors must 1) maintain a professionally active facility within the United States, 2) be approved for participation in NATO Competitive Procurement (NCP), 3) hold a Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the level of SECRET or higher, and 4) be issued a Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) by the U.S. Government.

In addition, contractor personnel performing services under the contract must be citizens of a NATO nation, hold a Personnel Security Clearance (PCL) at the level of SECRET or higher (exceptions will be identified per labour category), and have appropriate professional training and experience in a related field.

The reference for the RFP is RFP-ACT-SACT-27-01 and all correspondence regarding the RFP should include this reference.  

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

HQ SACT is seeking contractor support to establish the conditions in which HQ SACT has timely access to the leading-edge capabilities necessary to tackle challenges and problems whose size and complexity defy solutions by solely using existing staff or tools within NATO’s established organization. HQ SACT is seeking contractor support to include but not limited to the capture, development, architecture, data science and quality assurance of capability requirements and operational analysis and climate change support.

Additional support to include but not limited to the management of capability programs/portfolios and areas of logistics, capability engineering/testing, IT support specialists, as well as business management specialists. Other areas for contractor support may include but shall not be limited to human resources, areas of administration, facility management / planning, command support areas (procurement and acquisition, financial management; CIS Management) and command engagement / functional support.

CDMS is an integral part of SACT’s comprehensive organizational and operating strategy that enables mission accomplishment by integrating high quality support from trusted industry partners, with the unique and manifold capacities of NATO’s established workforce and toolset. This requirement emphasizes to support long-term, programmed needs, as well to assist in meeting shorter-term requirements.

Included Programs are as follows: Modelling Simulation and Learning Technologies / Distributed Learning, Experimentation and Wargaming, C2 Interoperability Verification, Capability Enablers / Requirement Services, Data Science / Analytics and AI, Innovation, ACT Project 2030, HQ SACT Fit for Purpose, Administrative, ACT Strategic Engagements Events, Cognitive Superiority Implementation, Concept Development, Global Picture and Strategy Development, NATO Resilience, NEW Climate Change, Strategic Foresight Analysis, and Defence Planning.

Full details of eligibility per labor category will be provided in the RFP document.

BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO BID    

NCP requires that the U.S. Government issue a DOE on behalf of potential U.S. prime contractors and subcontractors interested in this contract. Before the U.S. Government can do so, however, the U.S. Government must approve the U.S. firm for participation in NCP.  U.S. firms are approved for NCP on a facility-by-facility basis. 

The U.S. NCP application is a one-time application.  The application requires supporting documentation in the form of 1) a company resume indicating contracts completed 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. NCP application from the following website:

https://www.bis.gov/about-bis/bis-leadership-and-offices/SIES/business-opportunities-nato  

The Department of Commerce (DOC) is the U.S. Government agency that approves NCP applications. Please submit to the email address provided your application and supporting documentation (as attachments). If your firm is interested in a specific NCP project at this time, please also include the following in the text of your email:

- the title and/or solicitation number of the contract
- the name/phone/email of the company point of contact for the bid documents

After approval of your one-time NCP application, DOC will then know to follow up by issuing a DOE for the contract.  DOC will transmit the DOE to the NATO contracting agency.  

IMPORTANT DATES

U.S. firms should request a DOE (and, for U.S. firms new to NCP, submit the one-time NCP application): 08 September 2026

HQ SACT issues RFP (planned): 11 September 2026

Bid closing (planned): 16 October 2026

Contract award (anticipated): 15 November 2026