Every sourcing activity is built from the areas you choose on the first step of the sourcing wizard, so a quick quote request and a full tender use the same tool. This article explains each area and which wizard steps it adds.
Before you start
What's on the first wizard step
Under What Areas Would You Like To Include In Your Sourcing Activity?, tick any combination of these. Each one adds a step to the wizard.
Area | What it's for |
Internal Sourcing Sections | Information you give suppliers, such as an About us section, the project background or submission rules. Suppliers read these; they aren't scored. |
Supplier Sourcing Sections | Written answers you want back, such as how the supplier will meet your service levels or deliver the work. Scorers mark each one from 0 to 5. |
Supplier Questionnaires | Sets of questions grouped into weighted categories, such as compliance or technical capability. Scorers mark each question from 0 to 5. |
Pricing | The products or services you want quoted, so you can compare prices line by line. Pricing is scored automatically from cost. |
Steps every activity includes
Step | What it's for |
Activity Overview | Title, description, dates, classification (including Sourcing Type) and, if you're requesting pricing, the currency. |
Supporting Documents | Files suppliers can read, such as specifications or drawings. Optional. |
Request Documents | Files every supplier must upload before they can submit, such as an insurance certificate. Choose a Requested Document Type and describe what you need. Optional. |
Weighted Scoring | Only appears when there's more than one area to score. Give each supplier section, questionnaire and pricing a percentage that adds up to 100%. |
Invite Suppliers | Choose suppliers and contacts, set Record Access, and send. |
What you can do from here
To… | Do this | Guide |
Add internal sections | Tick Internal Sourcing Sections, then choose sections on Select Internal Sourcing Sections | |
Add supplier sections | Tick Supplier Sourcing Sections, then choose sections on Select Supplier Sourcing Sections | |
Add questionnaires | Tick Supplier Questionnaires, then choose them on Select Supplier Questionnaires | |
Request pricing | Tick Pricing, then enter or paste your products | |
Share documents with suppliers | Add New Document on the Supporting Documents step | |
Ask suppliers for documents | Request New Document on the Request Documents step | |
Weight the areas | Enter a Score (%) for each area on the Weighted Scoring step |
Common questions
Can I create a new section or questionnaire from the wizard?
Not yet. Create sections on Sourcing > Sourcing Library and questionnaires on Sourcing > Supplier Questionnaires, then choose them in the wizard. See Sourcing Library Overview: Internal and Supplier Sections.
Can I weight individual questions?
No. A questionnaire's weightings are set per Category/Area and must total 100%. The Weighted Scoring step then sets how much each questionnaire, supplier section and pricing counts overall.
Can I change the areas after sending the activity?
Yes, with Reopen/Edit > Yes, make changes (Sourcing Plus). You can add or remove sections, questionnaires, documents or pricing and resend the activity as a new round. See Reopen or Edit a Sourcing Activity.
Some areas are locked
Internal sections, supplier sections and supplier questionnaires need the Sourcing Plus plan. On the free plan you can still request pricing, share documents and request documents.
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If you need further assistance, please contact your internal platform administrator for support. Otherwise please reach out to oboloo's support team. If you are unable to view the above area in the oboloo platform, please check your user permissions and access rights.