The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council, is an intergovernmental organization focused on customs matters.
The WCO’s 183 Member customs administrations throughout the world are together responsible for processing 98% of global trade.
Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations and help them contribute to the achievement of national development objectives, particularly in the fields of trade facilitation, revenue collection, the protection of society and supply chain security.
In April 2018, the WCO launched a new initiative for customs administrations in the West and Central Africa specifically focusing on border-security-related challenges in this region.
The objective of the Security Project in West and Central Africa (WCASP) is to assist customs administrations in West and Central Africa to strengthen their capacity, focusing on the Programme Global Shield (PGS) to counter illicit trafficking and diversion of components used to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Within the framework of PGS, the WCO has identified – among other components – 13 chemical precursors that customs administrations worldwide are closely monitoring. They are: Acetone, Ammonium Nitrate; Calcium Ammonium Nitrate; Calcium Nitrate; Hydrogen Peroxide; Nitric Acid; Nitromethane; Potassium Chlorate; Potassium Nitrate; Potassium Perchlorate; Sodium Chlorate; Sodium Nitrate and Urea.
The WCASP aims to leverage the capacity of customs administrations and other law enforcement agencies in West and Central Africa to prevent illicit cross-border movement and diversion of these 13 precursor chemicals and devices misused to manufacture IEDs.
To support the beneficiary customs administrations in this, the WCASP is planning to procure around 10,000 kits of field testing equipment for detection and identification of 13 pre-defined precursor chemicals of the Programme Global Shield. Subject to the availability of funds, the Project may request an extension to the contract for the supply of the field testing equipment, including additional procurement of the equipment and/or other additional services.
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 30 April 2019.
All detailed information is available here: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/calls_for_tenders.aspx