What is typically necessary when planning to use a sole source procurement strategy?

When planning to use a sole source procurement strategy, having a written justification by authorized officials is essential. This is because sole source procurement occurs when a contract is awarded to a single supplier without a competitive bidding process. Since this approach can bypass the typical competitive procurement processes, it is crucial to have a clear, documented rationale that supports why this method is being chosen over others.

The justification should detail the specific circumstances that necessitate a sole source acquisition, such as the unique capabilities of the supplier, the urgency of the procurement, or the lack of alternative suppliers due to specialized requirements. This written justification not only helps in maintaining transparency within the procurement process but also serves to provide accountability, as it can be reviewed by oversight bodies or auditors to ensure that the decision aligns with regulations and best practices.

In contrast to this, public consultation might not add value in instances of sole source procurement, as the objective is often to quickly engage a specific vendor rather than seeking broad input on the procurement itself. Comprehensive market analysis could be useful in understanding the market landscape, but for sole source situations, the focus shifts more onto the vendor's unique qualifications rather than comparing multiple options. Competitive deterioration does not apply in this context, as it refers to situations where competition is ineffective or