To allow sufficient time for purchase planning and as early as possible after the determination of a purchase requirement, the requesting organization should contact the relevant SM purchasing organization to discuss upcoming requirement and jointly develop the purchasing strategy for how best value can be obtained. One of the most important elements of effective planning is the purchase method recommendation, which is the recommendation as to whether the purchase should be made competitively or noncompetitively. This recommendation must occur and be approved before the publication of any requirement, prequalification of potential suppliers, or release of any solicitation or request for proposal (see Section 2-41.3.3, Reviews and Approvals of Purchase Plans). The approach to the purchasing strategy should occur prior to the completion of the Justification of Expenditure or the Decision Analysis Report. The relevant purchasing organization will assist in conducting market research and provide any other needed expertise for purchase method finalization. Depending on the nature of the purchase, the proper data and analysis to make a recommendation may be obtained through the following:
See Section 2-10, Determine Extent of Competition, for more information.
