Vendor Partnerships Q & A

Q: What is the vendor partnership program?

A: The Procurement Management Department (PMD) collaborates with representatives from the local business units to develop University-wide contracts and programs that leverage our buying power. The suppliers work closely with PMD to improve business process and provide value added services.

Q: What are the goals of the vendor partnerships?

A: The goals of these partnerships are to:

• Fully leverage the total University buying power to reduce everyone's prices
• Consolidate the vendor base and reduce transaction processing costs
• Provide higher levels of service and other value-added features
• Make purchasing of product quick, convenient and trouble free

Q: What makes vendor partners different?

A: Harvard vendor partners are closely measured and managed to ensure that they are responsive to the needs of the community and are continuously delivering the best value to the University. Existing relationships are periodically reviewed by Advisory Committees that include representatives nominated by the Schools and Administrative Units.

Q: What makes vendor partners successful?

A: Local buyers are encouraged to take advantage of these vendor partnerships. The larger the volume delivered to these suppliers, the better the opportunity to reduce prices for everyone.

Q: How are new opportunities identified?

A: Based upon University-wide expenditure reviews, new initiatives are regularly being explored.