Sourcing Project Updates

As 2008 progresses, the Corporate United sourcing team is moving closer to a roll-out of the first three categories on the sourcing roadmap while beginning the sourcing process with the next few categories. As always, if any of these sourcing initiatives are of interest to your organization, please contact your Corporate United representative to learn how to become more involved.

Vendor-Managed Staffing Solution

As the most complex project in this round of sourcing initiatives, the vendor-managed staffing solutions is developing at an impressive pace. As in some other sourcing projects, Corporate United is fortunate enough to have the input of industry experts to assist the sourcing team and the member committee in understanding industry conventions and peculiarities. The member sourcing committee delivered the appropriate spending data and requirement details to Corporate United’s sourcing team and an RFI was released, from which the committee determined which suppliers are to receive the RFP. The RFP will be sent to the suppliers in March, and the agreement will be finalized in Q2.

Electrical Supplies

The electrical supplies project with member sourcing committee fully in tact is moving quickly toward completion. Corporate United’s sourcing team created an RFP with the help of the members and their spend data and after comprehensive discussions with industry suppliers. The RFP was released to suppliers in February; responses should be collected by the end of Q1 and processed soon thereafter. The electrical supplies contract is on schedule to be released in Q2.          

Janitorial Services

The janitorial services sourcing project has progressed on schedule since late 2007. The Corporate United sourcing team is finalizing the group of companies that will serve as the member sourcing committee; this dedicated group continues to work for the benefit of all Corporate United members in establishing widely-functional janitorial services agreement. After conducting initial discussions with suppliers in the space, Corporate United released an RFI to the market in February. Additionally, Corporate United continues to work with the member sourcing committee on gathering the spend data and requirements for the formation of a very thorough RFP. Look for an agreement to be presented to the general membership at the end of Q2.

Next in Line

Looking past the completion of the first three categories, the Corporate United sourcing team is calling for members interested in the next wave of projects. Consider your company’s internal sourcing roadmap and areas where the company could benefit from the leverage Corporate United has to offer. Our upcoming categories include:

• Forklifts

• Pallets

• Corrugated

• PCs

The team’s first step is to collect spend data from Corporate United members, which will provide a foundation for determining the next steps of each project. Even if your company signed a contract quite recently for one of these categories, the project will benefit from the additional spend information. Any data you are willing to share – spend details, RFX’s, contracts, etc. – should be sent to Nicole Finefrock (nfinefrock@corporateunited.com).

Corporate United is anxious to begin the sourcing process for these next categories. Our membership is what drives our ability to create leverage. Please contact Gary Como (gcomo@corporateunited.com) if you would like to learn more about serving on a member sourcing committee for these future projects.