IMF Procurement Guide for Suppliers

IMF Procurement Guide for Suppliers

Last Updated: June 1, 2010

This guide intends to describe the foundation on which the IMF conducts its procurement activities as well as the expectations it has of its current and potential suppliers. The IMF Procurement Division is located in Washington, D.C. As a significant portion of the goods and services are consumed by the IMF in Washington DC, most purchasing is done in the United States.

The IMF applies the basic principles of fair competition and equal treatment rigorously. This helps to ensure that the IMF obtains the best value by encouraging active participation by qualified suppliers, while avoiding preferential or discriminatory activities. IMF procurement activities adhere to the highest ethical standards, and our suppliers are expected to conduct business in a similar fashion. The IMF does not follow the procurement rules and regulations of the US Government.

Standards of Conduct

IMF personnel engaged in procurement are expected to avoid any actions in relationships which actually or potentially may be detrimental to the best interest of the IMF or which may create the appearance of impropriety. Therefore, IMF personnel with procurement authority may not accept gifts, entertainment, outings, trips or other items of value from suppliers, either current or prospective, unless such gifts are of a nominal value and bear the suppliers' name (e.g. mugs, pens, etc.) The IMF recognizes and ensures that transactions relating to procurement and the IMF's suppliers are of a confidential nature. The IMF does not allow proprietary or confidential information to pass from any supplier to another either intentionally or inadvertently.

Procurement Integrity

All IMF personnel with procurement authority maintain an unimpeachable standard of integrity in their business relationships. They must maintain the highest possible standards of business ethics, professional courtesy and competence at all times. Such standards, among others, may include:

• According fair and equal treatment to all suppliers and their representatives
• Guaranteeing the confidentiality of all specifications and quotations
• Declining to provide any document or other support which may be construed to be an IMF endorsement of any supplier, product or service.

When awarding contracts competitively, the IMF tries to select the supplier most likely to provide the best overall value. Elements typically evaluated in the selection process include, but are not limited to, base bid price, payment terms, and ability to meet special requirements, as well as the supplier's financial stability, management capability, prior experience, past performance, and demonstrated ability to deliver on schedule. For general transactions, the IMF will issue purchase orders with General Purchasing Conditions printed on the reverse side. Depending on the complexity of the contract, the IMF reserves the right to add appropriate terms and conditions as required by the transaction.

When appropriate, the IMF establishes strategic supply management relationships with manufacturers and suppliers to provide benefits, such as assistance in identifying and developing products and services that respond to its special requirements.

The Guidelines for IMF Supplier Eligibility provides information and the criteria to become an IMF supplier.