UN tenders and UNGM: how to find United Nations procurement

The United Nations is one of the largest buyers in the development sector, procuring billions of dollars of goods and services every year across its agencies. Most of that activity is published through the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM), which makes UN tenders a major opportunity for suppliers, NGOs and consultants worldwide.

UNGM and the UN agencies

UNGM is the common procurement portal for the UN system. Behind it sit dozens of agencies, each with its own mandate and buying patterns: UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, FAO, UNOPS and many more. They procure everything from vaccines, food and shelter to logistics, IT and technical consultancy. Because each agency operates in different countries and sectors, the breadth of UN opportunities is enormous.

The main notice types

UN solicitations usually take the form of a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for lower-value, clearly specified goods; an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for precise requirements judged on price and compliance; or a Request for Proposal (RFP) for more complex work where quality and methodology are weighed alongside price. Agencies also publish Expressions of Interest to identify potential suppliers ahead of a full solicitation.

Registering as a UN supplier

To do business with most UN agencies you register once on UNGM, selecting the product and service categories you offer. Keeping that profile complete and current means you can respond quickly when a relevant notice appears — and some higher-value or agency-specific processes require additional registration or prequalification.

Where to find UN tenders

MangoFetch aggregates UN tenders from across the agencies and lists them alongside the World Bank and the regional development banks, so you can filter by country and sector in one place. See who wins similar work in contract awards, explore activity on the Intelligence dashboard, or read the practical guide to finding and winning tenders.