What is source selection?
- Source selection is a process by which multiple vendors are compared and the best vendor is chosen to be the supplier for the good/service being procured.
- In other words, source selection is the process of selecting the source from which a good/service will be purchased. It is a way of choosing a vendor.
When does a purchase require source selection?
- Per Arkansas Procurement Laws and Rules (APLR), source selection is required for all goods/services with a value ≥ $20,000.
What is involved in source selection?
- There are multiple methods of source selection.
- If the value of goods/services is $20,000 – $75,000, the method of source selection is very simple and can be done by the Requisitioner. See Help Page – Competitive Bid Quote, Purchases $20,000 – $75,000.
- If the value of goods/services is > $75,000, the methods of source selection are more rigorous and are coordinated and executed by a Senior Procurement Specialist. See Help Page – Sealed Bid/Proposal, Purchases Over $75,000.
When can a purchase bypass source selection?
- When the good/service is an exempt commodity.
- Common examples include items available through a GPO, advertising, animals for research.
- When the good/service being purchased is a sole source commodity qualifying for sole source procurement.
- When the good/service being purchased is an emergency purchase qualifying for emergency procurement.
- Complete the Source Selection Worksheet to determine if your purchase requires source selection or qualifies to bypass source selection.