IO2 (interoperability objective)

IO2 stands for interoperability objective. It is a NATO terminology form, listed in NATO's Glossary of NATO Acronyms and Abbreviations as "IO2, interoperability objective". The glossary gives the French equivalent as "objectif d'interopérabilité".

The term sits inside NATO's wider work on interoperability, which is the ability of Allies to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently. An interoperability objective is therefore a goal tied to that ability. Canadian suppliers working on defence-related opportunities may see the abbreviation in NATO-linked documents, and this page sets out what is established about it.

What the NATO glossary entry says about IO2

The entry appears in AAP-15, the Glossary of NATO Acronyms and Abbreviations (2013 edition). It gives three pieces of information:

• The abbreviation is IO2.
• The English expansion is interoperability objective.
• The French equivalent is objectif d'interopérabilité.

The glossary also associates the entry with AJP-4 and NASG. The glossary is the authoritative reference for the expansion, so use "interoperability objective" when you spell the term out in a proposal or an internal bid note.

How NATO defines interoperability

NATO describes interoperability as the ability for Allies to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve tactical, operational and strategic objectives. It enables forces, units and systems to operate together. It also allows them to communicate and to share common doctrine, procedures, infrastructure and bases.

In its page on NATO's partnerships, the Alliance puts the same idea in terms of armed forces operating together using harmonised standards, doctrines, procedures and equipment. Read together, these definitions give the background for any objective that is labelled as an interoperability objective.

Interoperability beyond the Allies

NATO applies the concept to partner countries as well. Under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative, partner forces operate together with NATO forces according to NATO standards, rules, procedures and similar equipment. The principle is the same as it is among Allies: shared standards and procedures let separate forces work as one.

How NATO says interoperability is achieved

NATO Allied Command Transformation describes interoperability as involving systems, organizations and nations. In its article on the interoperability cornerstone concept, it says interoperability is achieved through participation, collaboration, testing, experimenting and extensive planning. An objective in this field is pursued through that kind of sustained, shared effort rather than through a single purchase or a single document.

What IO2 means for a supplier bidding on Canadian public contracts

Treat IO2 as a NATO term meaning interoperability objective. The glossary entry establishes the expansion and the French equivalent. It does not set a standard, a threshold or a deliverable for suppliers.

• If a solicitation or attached document uses IO2, read the surrounding text for the specific standards, procedures or equipment it names.
• Write the term out as "interoperability objective" when you answer it.
• Take the actual requirement from the solicitation itself, and send any questions about it to the contracting authority through the channel the solicitation names.

Bid teams that work on NATO-linked defence opportunities should also keep NATO's definition of interoperability to hand. It frames what an interoperability objective is meant to achieve: forces and systems that work together using common standards, doctrine and procedures.