The Purchasing Department strongly recommends the use of our preferred suppliers.
1. A preferred supplier is one with whom the University has negotiated an agreement/contract which could include price discounts, delivery arrangements, customer service requirements, etc. for a specified period of time. The Preferred Supplier Program formalizes the relationship with suppliers who are selected based on procurement volume and strategic and economic benefits to the University. These will be University-wide agreements and the same discounted prices and service levels will be available to all University departments.
2. A preferred supplier may also be a supplier who is part of a purchasing consortium which provides national and/or regional contracts. These consortium suppliers offer deeper discounts because of the combined purchasing volume of Messiah University and other universities affiliated with the consortium.
3. A preferred supplier will complete a formalized, competitive selection process.