January 24, 2023

Subject: Request for Information – Qualification of Manufacturer

Dear Prospective Manufacturers,

Aramco Americas – Houston is the U.S. based subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, a fully integrated, global
petroleum, and chemicals enterprise, and is the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Aramco rank first among oil companies worldwide in terms of crude oil production and exports, and
natural gas liquids (NGL) exports, and are among the leading producers of natural gas. We are also among
the world's leading refiners and are moving further downstream into chemicals production.
http://www.saudiaramco.com/en/home.html.

There are several green field projects which is in different phases of engineering, and it is imperative to
enhance Saudi Aramco Approved Vendors List [AVL]. Saudi Aramco would like to solicit Qualified
manufacturers in becoming an approved manufacturer for the below listed items.

01. Material No [9COM] 6000002404

Material short Description Field Erected Cooling Tower – ASHRAE 90.1

Classification: General Use

The Qualification process includes a technical review by our subject matter experts and a Quality system
review and audit. The audits may include a physical visit to your manufacturing plant.

After your review, let us know if your organization has sufficient technical expertise to design and
manufacture any of the above materials/systems/components.

If your organization is interested, we would like to engage with you and shall guide you through the
process.

Thanking you and looking forward to helping your organization in getting, their manufacturing plant
approved in Saudi Aramco ERP systems.

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

General Use

Classification: General Use

Classification: General Use
FAQ’s
What is the advantage of becoming an Aramco approved manufacturer?
Aramco’s audit and qualification process is well respected globally. Upon approval, the end-users of Aramco
will have visibility of the approved manufacturing plant in Aramco’s global ERP system. In addition to regular
MRO requirements, the Project Management Team and their Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC)/
Lump Sum Turnkey (LSTK) contractors have access to the approved manufacturer list and may approach them
for their requirements.

Can I apply for registration even though I do not manufacture any material on the sourcing list?
Currently we only approve new manufacturers for items included in the sourcing list. Since the list is subject
to periodic updates, your products have the potential to be listed in the next update. If your company offers
products based on new or advanced technology, you can discuss with your Aramco contact. Also, if you have
plans to localize manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, then your application may be considered for registration on a
case-by-case basis.

How often does the sourcing list change?

The sourcing list is subject to periodic updates based on end-user requirements.

Is a representative in Saudi Arabia required to do business with Aramco?

No, it is not. However, for some materials and services, local presence may be required whether it be
independent or in the form of a partnership.

What is considered a manufacturing plant?

A plant where critical components are manufactured and final assembly and testing is conducted, is
considered as a manufacturing plant.

Is ISO certification required to be an approved manufacturer?

Aramco has mandated the requirement of ISO certification for the approval of manufacturers globally since
August 2016. However, it is up to the Quality Department to take exception and consider the company’s
quality management system in lieu of ISO certification.

What if there are multiple manufacturing locations in the region? Does each plant need to be registered?
Each individual manufacturing facility must go through the registration process in order to be approved in
the Aramco system.

What if one component is manufactured in another manufacturing location of our company?

Based on the criticality and functionality of the component, Aramco may request that ancillary facility to be
audited as well.

If we have a manufacturing plants in other continents, whom do we approach to get them approved?
You may approach our offices in Asia and Europe to register manufacturing plants in these regions. Your ASC
contact can help guide you to the appropriate regional office.

I am already an approved supplier. Can I extend my current approval range with additional materials?
To add additional materials to your approval range, each material must go through the required
approval process.  In many cases only a technical evaluation is required if it is the same plant.
I have just become an approved supplier. What happens next?
When an end-user has a requirement for the approved material you provide, you will be included in
the RFQ process.

Will we receive RFQs automatically after getting approved?

Yes, RFQs will be automatically sent to all approved manufacturers when an end-user has a requirement for the
qualified materials. It is required that you have a valid vendor ID and plant ID.

What do I do if there is a legal name change due to an acquisition or merger?

It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to contact ASC and provide an official government issued letter and
necessary documentation confirming the name change. Once these documents are received and reviewed, we
will reflect the changes in our system. The same shall be applicable if other contact details are changed.

How long is the approval valid for? How frequently are manufacturing plants re-audited?
Each approved manufacturing plant is re-audited every 5 years.

How long does it take to approve a manufacturing plant?

Depending on various factors, the audit/approval process may take up to 45 days after preliminary requirements
are met and the manufacturing plant is ready for assessment. However, in some cases it may take longer based
on circumstances during the qualification process.

Apart from the Manufacturer Qualification Questionnaire and associated documents, what other documents
are required at a later stage?
Upon approval of a plant, the manufacturer shall complete and submit forms PT-202 (Vendor Capability Survey),
PT-330 (Supplier Code of Conduct) and PL-102 (ASC Standard Purchase Terms and Conditions). 

What happens if I don’t agree with the ASC Standard Purchase Terms and Conditions (PL-102)?
Your vendor ID will be blocked in our system and our purchasing team will not be able to buy products directly
from you. However you may supply products through distributors or other vendors who are registered in our
system.

What do the following abbreviations mean?

9COM:  Aramco’s material classification system that describes a commodity or a class of materials, but not a
specific item.
9CAT: Specific items whose descriptions are maintained by Aramco in its catalogue.
SAMSS: Aramco Material System Specification.

What is the difference between Plant ID, Manufacturer ID and Vendor ID?
Plant ID (ZPLT): Unique identification number for each physical manufacturing location. Starts with a “3” and is
8 digits long (example: 30001234). Each manufacturing plant has to be audited and approved before materials
can be supplied to Aramco.
Manufacturer ID (ZMFR): Unique identification number for each manufacturer that is linked to all physical
manufacturing plants (ZPLT) for that specific manufacturer. Starts with “1” and is 8 digits long (example:
10012345).
Vendor ID (ZVND): Unique identification number for an authorized distributor, Manufacturer Representative,
Jobber or Service Agency representing the manufacturer. This number is linked to the manufacturer ID
(ZMFR). Starts with “1” and is 8 digits long (example: 10012345). For linking local agents in Saudi Arabia,
the manufacturer shall approach the Aramco vendor relations department in Dhahran with the required
documentation.