Viewing Supplier Responses to a Sourcing Activity

This guide explains how to access and review supplier responses to a sourcing activity, ensuring an efficient evaluation process.

Reviewing supplier responses is a crucial step in making informed procurement decisions. The Supplier Response Dashboard allows you to view and compare supplier responses across supplier sections, supplier questionnaires, and pricing submissions—all from a single, centralized dashboard.

When to Use This Feature

• When reviewing and evaluating supplier responses to a sourcing event.

• When comparing supplier submissions, including pricing, questionnaires, and structured sections.

• When identifying discrepancies or missing information in supplier responses.

• When tracking changes in supplier submissions after reopening a sourcing event.

• When exporting supplier response data for further analysis or reporting.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Navigate to the Sourcing Activity

• Click Sourcing in the main menu.

• Select the sourcing activity you want to review.

• Open the Sourcing Activity Dashboard, where all supplier responses are categorized into different tabs.

2. Review Supplier Section Responses

• Navigate to the Supplier Sections tab.

• This tab contains structured supplier-provided details such as:

  • Company background

  • Service capabilities

  • Sustainability commitments

• Use the Select Supplier dropdown to filter responses by a specific supplier.

• If the sourcing event was reopened, timestamped versions of the latest submissions will be available.

• Selecting a response will display the relevant details in a table format.

3. Review Supplier Questionnaire Responses

• Open the Questionnaires tab to view supplier answers to structured, pre-set questions.

• Supplier responses are grouped by questionnaire name and questionnaire area.

• Use the Select Supplier filter to view responses from a specific supplier.

• If the event was reopened, timestamped submissions will help track any changes made by suppliers.

4. Review Supplier Pricing Submissions

• Navigate to the Financials tab for a side-by-side comparison of supplier pricing.

• This section helps analyze total cost, individual product/service pricing, and additional fees.

• The Financials tab consists of:

  • Financial Summary Table – Displays total pricing submissions from each supplier.

  • Product Analysis Table – Compares individual product/service costs between suppliers.

  • Supplier Analysis Table – Breaks down costs per supplier, including additional charges (e.g., shipping fees, taxes).

• Use filters to focus on a particular supplier or product.

• Click the Export button to download pricing reports.

5. Take Action on Supplier Responses

• Once you’ve reviewed all sections, you can:

  • Evaluate supplier offerings.

  • Assess overall value.

  • Identify areas requiring further clarification.

• If needed, reopen the sourcing event for selected suppliers and request updates to their responses.

Key Considerations & Best Practices

✅ Compare Responses Across Different Categories – Use the Supplier Response Dashboard to analyze supplier sections, questionnaires, and pricing submissions side by side.

✅ Track Supplier Submissions – Timestamps allow you to track changes when a sourcing event is reopened.

✅ Use Filters for Targeted Analysis – Apply supplier and product filters to focus on specific submissions.

✅ Ensure Data Accuracy – Review supplier responses carefully and flag any discrepancies before finalizing evaluations.

✅ Export Data for Further Review – Download supplier response reports for internal discussions or procurement audits.

✅ Request Additional Information – If required details are missing, reach out to suppliers for clarification before making a decision.

Additional Resources

📌 Related User Guides:

• Creating a Sourcing Event – How to invite suppliers and structure an event.

• Scoring Supplier Responses – How to evaluate and assign scores to supplier submissions.

• Shortlisting & Awarding Suppliers – Final steps in selecting and contracting a supplier.