A preferred supplier is a unique distinction bestowed on a few suppliers who have demonstrated the best value to the
UT System Supply Chain Alliance and the UT System institutions as a result of a competitive bid process.
Benefits of Becoming a Preferred Supplier
- Strategic Sourcing Team works closely with the preferred supplier to grow existing business and to develop
new areas of opportunity that fully maximize the preferred supplier’s product or service offering.
- Preferred supplier is identified as the primary choice for its selected product or service by UT System
Supply Chain Alliance and the UT System institutions.
- Preferred supplier status is highlighted within e-procurement technology platforms.
- The Strategic Sourcing Team works with preferred supplier to develop unique product shows and
events on campus.
- The preferred supplier business relationship and value is identified to end users.
- The preferred supplier is best positioned to benefit from campus growth.
Becoming a Preferred Supplier
In order to become a preferred supplier a company must first participate and successfully compete in a UT System Supply Chain
Alliance strategic sourcing event. UT System Supply Chain Alliance invites suppliers to provide their most
competitive offering for their products and services to our member institutions and affiliates.
The process begins by registering your organization at http://mdanderson.supplier.ariba.com.
Supplier Relationship Management
Once a supplier is awarded a contract and designated with a preferred supplier status, it is then enrolled in a supplier
relationship management program (SRM). Through the SRM program, the Strategic Sourcing Team works closely with the preferred
supplier through a metric driven scorecard and survey system to determine areas of improvement and opportunity. We often
say, "This is where the real work begins."
Contract Awards
When the UT System Supply Chain Alliance awards a contract to a preferred supplier, it is based on "best value."
Some of the elements considered when determining best value to the UT System Supply Chain Alliance are purchase price,
reputation of the supplier and the quality of its goods and services and the extent to which the supplier can meet
needs of the UT System Supply Chain Alliance member institutions. Additional consideration is given to the supplier's
ability to comply with laws and good faith efforts relating to historically underutilized businesses.
For more information on preferred supplier agreements, please click here.
