DOD seeks industry feedback on Estonia procurement process

As the Pentagon determines whether to enter a memorandum of understanding with Estonia to help enhance defense cooperation, the department seeks feedback from industry on what it is like to work with the Baltic nation's procurement process.

The Defense Department is considering a reciprocal defense procurement memorandum of understanding with Estonia, according to a Feb. 26 Federal Register notice. Such an MOU is designed to “promote rationalization, standardization and interoperability of conventional defense equipment with allies and other friendly governments,” according to the notice, which adds that it helps lay out a “framework for ongoing communication regarding market access and procurement matters that enhance effective defense cooperation.”

As the department is examining Estonia's laws and regulations, “DOD would benefit from U.S. industry's experience in participating in Estonia's public defense procurements,” the notice states.

“DOD is, therefore, asking U.S. firms that have participated or attempted to participate in procurements by or on behalf of Estonia's ministry of defense of armed forces to let us know if the procurements were conducted with transparency, integrity, fairness and due process in accordance with published procedures, and if not, the nature of the problems encountered,” according to the notice.

Defense officials are also seeking comments from industry on “the degree of reciprocity that exists between the United States and Estonia when it comes to the openness of defense procurements to offers of products from the other country,” according to the notice.

Comments are due by March 28.