Declaration of Eligibility (DoE)

A Declaration of Eligibility (DoE) is a formal self-certification submitted by a supplier confirming that the company is incorporated in a NATO member nation or a formally approved partner country, and that it meets the nationality requirements set by NATO's procurement rules.

What is a Declaration of Eligibility?

NATO restricts its procurement to companies from member and approved partner nations to protect Alliance interests and sensitive technology. The DoE is the document through which a supplier makes this certification. It is required at the point of registration with either nspa or ncia, and must be renewed if the company's ownership, jurisdiction, or corporate structure changes.

A DoE is distinct from a nato-security-clearance. Eligibility confirms the company's nationality and right to bid; a security clearance is an additional requirement for contracts involving classified information. A company can hold a valid DoE and still be ineligible for classified work if it has not obtained the necessary facility clearance through its national security authority. The npp sets out the conditions under which NCIA verifies and relies on DoE submissions.

Why a DoE matters for bidders

Without a valid DoE on file, a company cannot be added to the nspa-source-file and cannot register on the Neo eProcurement platform for NCIA work. This makes the DoE the first administrative gate in the NATO supplier journey. Companies should prepare the declaration using their national trade registry documents and ensure the signatory is an authorised company representative. Any change in beneficial ownership that affects the company's nationality profile should prompt an immediate DoE review, because submitting a false or stale declaration can result in disqualification and potential debarment.

FAQ

Who signs the Declaration of Eligibility?

The DoE must be signed by an authorised representative of the company, typically a director or company secretary, attesting to the company's nationality and eligibility.

Does a DoE expire?

There is no fixed expiry date, but suppliers are expected to notify NATO agencies of material changes to corporate ownership or jurisdiction that could affect eligibility status.

Can a subsidiary of a non-NATO company qualify?

Generally no. The DoE test looks at the nationality of the legal entity and, in some cases, beneficial ownership. A subsidiary incorporated in a NATO country but controlled by a non-NATO parent may not qualify.