Supplier selection is a systematic process to identify the supplier offering the best overall value, not just the lowest price. It begins with appraising potential suppliers' capabilities, financial health, and compliance using tools like Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs). Formal bids are then solicited and evaluated against a balanced scorecard of criteria, such as quality, delivery performance, technical capability, and sustainability. This multi-criteria analysis ensures the chosen supplier is reliable, capable, and strategically aligned with the buying organization's objectives. Due diligence activities like site visits and reference checks are often conducted to verify claims before a final decision and contract award are made.

1. Lysons

K.

& Farrington

B. (2020). Procurement and Supply Chain Management (10th ed.). Pearson. (Chapter 10

"Sourcing

" details the stages of supplier appraisal

information gathering via RFIs/RFQs

and the evaluation process).

2. Monczka

R. M.

Handfield

R. B.

Giunipero

L. C.

& Patterson

J. L. (2016). Purchasing and Supply Management (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. (Chapter 8

"Supplier Evaluation and Selection

" pp. 254-285

outlines the step-by-step process

including identifying criteria

developing evaluation tools like weighted-point models

and conducting site visits).

3. CIPS. (2018). CIPS Global Standard for Procurement and Supply. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply. (Theme 4: Sourcing and Contract Management

Competency L4-4.2

"Supplier Selection

" specifies the requirement to use defined criteria and processes to select suppliers).

4. Van Weele

A. J. (2018). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (7th ed.). Cengage Learning. (Chapter 8

"The Sourcing Process

" describes the supplier selection funnel from initial long-listing to final contract negotiation and award).