Sourcing Project Updates
The following projects are in the beginning stages; please contact Gary Como (gcomo@corporateunited.com) if you would like to participate on a sourcing committee or provide spend information.

Packaging Supplies
The packaging supplies project – consisting of miscellaneous non-customized packaging supplies – continues to move toward completion. With input and guidance from the core committee members, Corporate United delivered an RFP to the top packaging supplies distributors. Quotes have been solicited from manufacturers in key subcategories. Once Corporate United has received the responses, the sourcing committee will begin the supplier selection process. Negotiations for the final agreement should take place in Q4 of 2009.

Travel Management
Although there was a great deal of interest during the SYNERGY discussion in pursuing a travel management agreement, it did not produce the necessary level of member commitment required for Corporate United to move forward in sourcing this category. Travel management – agencies, booking tools or both – will be revisited as new interest develops or if the commitment level strengthens.

Fleet Vehicles
With the unstable automobile industry, Corporate United is currently monitoring the market to determine the best time to begin a fleet vehicles sourcing effort. Further updates will come when a general time line has been constructed.

Drug Testing and Background Checks
Corporate United has begun conducting market research on the drug testing and background checks industry. The sourcing team has spoken with several dozen suppliers in the space to gauge supplier interest and determine conditions for a successful agreement. We have also been conducting a series of calls with the interested members. If participating members can provide the required data by the end of September, it is likely that the project will be completed by the end of 2009. Research has shown that pricing in this industry is particularly volume-sensitive, so Corporate United is confident that with the right level of commitment as the project launches, we will be able to create an extremely competitive agreement for our members.

Pharmacy Benefits Management
For a detailed overview of the PBM sourcing project, read "Sourcing Pharmacy Benefits Management" here.

Next in Line
Corporate United is in the initial stages of conducting market research on two categories – bearings and power transmissions and merchant card services.