Frequently Asked Questions

Here below is a list of the most frequently asked questions concerning AIC and their answers.

1. When was AIC Created?
AIC began contacting experts in April 1999 and companies in May 1999. AIC got a legal existence in June 1999 and is fully operational 365 days a year since that date.
2. Where is AIC located and why?
AIC is essentially based on an international network, a network of experts and a network of companies. Companies as well as experts are from all over the world. AIC can be (in fact is) managed from any place in the world, provided communication means are efficient.
3. Is AIC really an independent organization?
AIC is an independent association. No other organization or company is involved directly or indirectly in AIC strategy or management. This builds confidence and allows us to receive a substantial amount of information. AIC sources are never communicated to anyone: expert, company or institution, not even to AIC members. This is one of AIC Basic Working Rules. AIC cannot be pressured by anyone, expert, company or institution. Several companies have already tried to put pressure on AIC; we have even received some warnings (including some lawsuit warnings) from isolated companies because they were on our blacklist. AIC however has not and never will be influenced by any friendly (or unfriendly) pressure.
4. Why the legal status of an Association and not directly the one of a Company?
The major reasons are as follows: 1) AIC's aim is not to make profit, but to provide services to its members; 2) An association is more appropriate to build an efficient network; 3) In any association, everybody is requested to contribute, not only from a financial point of view, but definitely through personal involvement. Each member is himself providing information in the interest of building and developing the network..
5. How AIC is financing its activities?
A full AIC service for free cannot exist, because the service is costly and needs to be finance. AIC is essentially financed via an Access Fee paid by the experts only. AIC searches for experts are free for companies and International Institutions
6. How long does it take for AIC to provide CVs of Experts?
3 to 4 days or evel less are required to allow the experts potentially interested to receive a e-mail alert notice, read the details of the proposal and decide if they are interested or not.
7. Is AIC also providing ST Experts?
Yes, of course. However, the minimum duration has to be one full calendar month (or 22 working days). Smaller duration will not be considered for evident efficient reasons. Note that AIC only provides experts for requests with clear jobs titles, descriptions and durations. AIC does not provide experts for the so-called ‘pools of experts’. Concerning EU Framework contracts, AIC only deals with their second phase, i.e. when companies eventually selected have received clear ToRs with jobs titles, descriptions and durations.
8. Does AIC verify the contents of the CVs?
No, this remains the responsibility of the expert and of the requesting company.
9. How can I get the co-ordinates of an expert?
When interested in one of the CVs you received from AIC, just click at the end of the selected one on ‘I want the coordinates of this expert’. If you receive several CVs, please select maximum 2. Should you not get an agreement with one of these 2 experts, and then request the coordinates of a third one, if any.
10. Is there any commitment on the company’s side?
Yes. You are committed:
a) to inform AIC about the result of your discussion with each AIC expert
b) to always consider any letter of commitment you ask an expert to sign as a synallagmatic commitment, i.e. committing yourself to have this expert in your final proposal for the tender. AIC does not want any of its experts asked to sign a letter of commitment and have him informed at the last moment that he eventually was not selected. If you are not sure to use an expert, do NOT ask him to sign any letter of commitment. Companies not respecting this basic rule are introduced into our blacklist of companies which is made available to all AIC members (experts).
11. How does AIC manage when receiving requests for experts from several companies for the same project?
Very simple: first come, first served. By first come, we mean the first company who requests the coordinates of a proposed expert. AIC may however refuse a search if already received from several other companies.
12. Companies and Experts blacklisted by the World Bank?
Click on the hyperlink to access to this World Bank Listing of Ineligible Firms and Experts, the so-called World Bank Blacklist.
13. Companies "Watchlisted" and "Blacklisted" by AIC?
Recent experiences have forced AIC to gather and keep on file information related to company recruitment practices, management of projects, company relations with experts, payments problems, etc. The above-mentioned (see 10..) non-respect of the AIC rules and Company Commitments also belongs to the criteria. The first step with these companies is the inscription on the Watch List, the next and last step being the inscription on the Blacklist.
14. A CV sent by AIC is very interesting, but your company would like to use it for another project. How do you manage with AIC?
No problem. AIC will be delighted to put you in touch with this expert, provided the situation is clearly exposed. Absolute confidentiality will always be kept.
15. Your company received a very interesting CV for a specific assignment, but in fact, you would like to discuss with this expert the possibility of a permanent position within your company. Is it possible?
Of course. AIC will be delighted to put you in touch with this expert, provided the situation is clearly exposed. Absolute confidentiality will always be kept.