During which stage of purchasing do you engage vendors who supply the needed items?

Engaging vendors who supply the needed items occurs during the vendor identification process. In this stage, you actively seek out potential suppliers that can meet your specific purchasing needs. This involves researching and identifying vendors who have the capability and reliability to deliver the products or services required. This process is crucial as it sets the foundation for subsequent selection and contracting stages, where you further evaluate, negotiate, and finalize agreements with the identified vendors.

The vendor identification process is focused on building a list of suitable candidates that align with your purchasing criteria, ensuring that you have options to consider during the next steps of vendor selection and contracting. This initial engagement allows you to assess the broader market landscape and find vendors that best match the requirements of your organization.