NATS uses a number of measures in its Supplier Selection process, in order to ensure fairness in contract awards and a reliable, long-term supplier base.
Key to this process is the Supplier Profile on NATS e-sourcing system, Ariba. All current suppliers are required to keep this up to date, and potential suppliers are required to complete at the tender stage. Completion of the profile is not required in order to respond to initial AirportSmart requirements advertisements.
The Supplier Profile covers company capability, accreditations, financial history, and environmental and ethical operations. By completing this fully, a supplier also increases the possibility of gaining additional business from NATS by being able to highlight their capabilities in areas of business which we may not have linked them with in the past.
The Profile is self-service for maintenance and updating. Existing suppliers can update their profile on Ariba.
We do not allocate a pure pass / fail criteria at this stage, as different projects may place differing emphasis on aspects of a company’s structure and abilities.
NATS at all times seeks to select suppliers which can fulfil its needs, whilst maintaining ethical business relationships and enhancing fair and open competition within the marketplace.
Potential suppliers will normally only be added to Ariba as part of an ongoing procurement following an initial sift of AirportSmart responses, therefore we would request that companies do not contact us asking to be added unless we have advertised a specific requirement in their field of business.