Supplier list

Any list of pre-approved suppliers a buyer invites to compete, such as a framework, panel, standing offer or vendor roster. Many IT contracts are only open to firms already on a list.

Also called: Vendor roster, Approved supplier list, Panel

Related terms

Framework agreement

An umbrella agreement with a set of approved suppliers, under which public buyers later award contracts without a full tender each time. Getting on a framework is often the only way into recurring IT work.

Pre-qualification

Getting checked and approved before contracts are offered. Firms that pre-qualify join a list, panel or framework and are then invited to compete for the work that comes later.