Once an SME is awarded a contract, it enters the contract phase as an official contractor, now responsible for delivering on the ICV commitments made during the tender phase. This includes meeting Omanization targets, sourcing goods and services locally, investing in fixed assets, and submitting detailed ICV spend reports. Operators actively monitor contractor performance through regular reporting, audits, and continuous communication. Non-compliance with ICV obligations can lead to financial penalties or even suspension from future tenders.
To help SMEs navigate these requirements smoothly, ICV TEAM provides expert support throughout the contract phase.
During this phase, contractors are expected to fulfill several key ICV responsibilities — including submitting the official ICV plan, navigating the MARS portal, preparing accurate quarterly ICV spend reports, complying with ICV audit validations, and maintaining open communication with the operator’s ICV department.
After signing the contract, the first critical step for contractors is submitting the finalized and official ICV Plan to the operator. While this plan builds on the Excel sheets submitted during the tendering phase, it is more detailed and serves as the formal blueprint for delivering on ICV requirements throughout the contracting period.
Many SMEs find preparing this official plan challenging due to its complexity and the level of detail required. Errors or omissions can lead to delays or non-compliance issues that impact your contract performance.
At ICV TEAM, we leverage our deep understanding of operator expectations to help you prepare a comprehensive, accurate, and compliant ICV Plan. Our support ensures your submission meets all technical requirements, giving your SME a strong foundation to execute and report on your ICV commitments confidently.
MARS (Monitoring and Reporting System) is the official ICV portal used by operators such as OQ, PDO, OXY, Shell, and others in Oman. Once a contract is signed, the contractor receives login credentials from the operator to begin uploading data and documentation for ICV tracking.
While MARS is a critical tool for managing ICV compliance, it’s far from easy to master. Many SMEs attend one or even two orientation sessions by the operator—but still find themselves lost. The system’s interface is not intuitive, and the requirements are often misunderstood. This causes delays, frustration, and internal stress—especially when reporting involves financial figures linked to contract spend.
We’ve seen SMEs freeze under pressure, fearing errors or inaccuracies in their reporting. With high-profile operators and strict contractual obligations, many avoid or delay submitting reports altogether simply out of fear of making a mistake. This hesitation, unfortunately, can result in missed deadlines, financial penalties, or reputational damage.
At ICV TEAM, we know the MARS system inside out. We help you navigate it with confidence, handle uploads, and structure your data clearly and professionally—ensuring compliance, peace of mind, and protection of your reputation.
Quarterly ICV reports are mandatory deliverables in the ICV process. These reports compare your actual local spend performance with what was committed in official ICV plan. Operators use these reports to evaluate your ICV delivery and identify any shortfalls, overstatements, or inconsistencies.
Submissions are done through the MARS portal within a strict deadline. Any missed deadlines trigger automatic financial penalties and can impact your eligibility for future tenders with the same operator.
Many SMEs fail to submit these reports on time or submit incomplete/incorrect data due to time constraints, lack of internal resources, or misunderstanding the reporting criteria. SMEs handling multiple contracts with different operators are especially prone to falling behind, as reporting obligations stack up quickly and vary by contract.
At ICV TEAM, we manage your entire quarterly reporting process—ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely submission. We free up your internal resources, eliminate stress, and make sure your compliance record remains clean and operator-friendly.
At ICV TEAM, we manage your entire quarterly reporting process—ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely submission. We free up your internal resources, eliminate stress, and make sure your compliance record remains clean and operator-friendly.
Throughout the contract period, the operator’s ICV team may conduct audits to verify that the data you report is accurate and authentic. These audits can involve requests for Omanization employment letters, copies of bills and invoices, or even onsite visits to your company or factory.
Many SMEs find audit preparation overwhelming and stressful. Disorganized records, missing invoices, or incomplete documentation can lead to delays, penalties, or lower ICV scores. Without dedicated resources, managing audit requirements alongside daily operations can quickly become unmanageable.
At ICV TEAM, we take the burden off your shoulders by meticulously organizing and archiving your bills, invoices, and all required documents—so you are always audit-ready. We manage the entire audit process, acting as your dedicated ICV liaison with the operator’s team, ensuring timely and professional communication. Our proactive approach helps safeguard your ICV score and keeps your SME compliant and confident throughout the contract lifecycle.
Effective communication with the operator is essential throughout the contract phase. Whether it’s responding to inquiries, clarifying data, scheduling reviews, or addressing sudden ministry directions, maintaining an open and reliable channel is a critical compliance factor.
In our experience, many SMEs underestimate this requirement. Communication is often treated as a secondary task, assigned to employees who are already juggling other operational roles. While this may be manageable for a single contract, SMEs working with multiple operators can quickly become overwhelmed by the volume of emails, calls, follow-ups, and ICV-related correspondence.
At ICV TEAM, we act as your dedicated point of contact for all ICV communication. We ensure that no message is missed, no clarification is delayed, and every request — whether from the operator or regulatory authorities — is handled promptly and professionally. This relieves pressure on your internal teams and ensures your business remains responsive, organized, and aligned with operator expectations.
