Provision of the Strategic Partnership for the Supply, Delivery, and Support of IT Equipment for the “Early Warnings for All (EW4All)” Initiative – WMO

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes international cooperation in meteorology, operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences. It plays a critical role in monitoring weather, climate and water resources to enhance global safety and sustainability. The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative is a financing mechanism that funds projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to establish risk-informed early warning services. CREWS works directly with countries to increase the availability of, and access to, early warning systems. Country and regional projects are implemented by countries with support from Implementing Partners, including WMO. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative was launched in 2022 by the UN Secretary-General, calling for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems by 2027. As climate change drives more frequent and intense extreme events, early warning systems are essential to reduce losses and damages to people and nature. EW4All has four pillars; WMO leads efforts to strengthen detection, observation, monitoring, analysis and forecasting. Under EW4All, WMO has identified critical procurement gaps in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. These needs underscore the importance of IT consolidators to enhance operational capabilities. In 2024, WMO procured IT and communications equipment valued at USD 1.1 million. To scale delivery, WMO is prioritizing Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) with up to five reputable and capable companies (“Contractors”) to support core project activities in which IT hardware and systems are integral. WMO participates in numerous regional and global initiatives that require advanced IT equipment and related services. Accordingly, WMO will conduct competitive procurement processes to establish framework contracts for the supply of IT systems, equipment and services. The LTAs will cover data-center establishment; supply of IT equipment, accessories and off-the-shelf software; installation; and warranty support. Deliveries may occur under conditions of high urgency, political visibility, potential social unrest, and other challenging circumstances affecting shipments to destinations in developing countries.