What is required for a sole source award due to its impact on competition?

A sole source award occurs when a procurement process is limited to a single supplier, often justified on the grounds that only that particular supplier has the unique capabilities necessary to fulfill the requirements of the purchase. In such scenarios, it is critical to maintain transparency and accountability in the procurement process, especially concerning competition.

The requirement for written justification by authorized officials serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides a clear rationale for bypassing the competitive bidding process, which is essential for justifying the sole source approach to stakeholders, including oversight bodies and the public. This documentation helps ensure that the decision meets legal and regulatory standards, supports good governance practices, and reinforces the integrity of the procurement process. Written justification typically outlines the reasons why competition is not feasible or not in the best interest of the organization, such as a lack of alternative suppliers for unique products or services.

While options like oral agreements, board approvals, and public voting may be relevant in various contexts, they do not directly address the fundamental need for a formal justification in the case of a sole source award. Oral agreements lack the necessary formality and documentation required for accountability, board approval may not always be a requirement depending on the organization, and public voting is generally not involved in procurement decisions. Hence, having a