Beginning of RFP

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to explain how to add content to an RFP from the Sourcing Library.

Source-to-Order with Contract Compliance Process Flow

Flowchart showing procurement process, including supplier sourcing, contract creation, and requisition stages managed by defined roles and responsibilities.

Sourcing Event Types

Request for Information
  • Used to gather information from suppliers, but not pricing
  • Often used as a ""first step"" for a multi-stage sourcing project
  • Line items can be added to an RFI, but you cannot collect pricing and award business
Request for Proposal
  • Adds the ability to collect pricing and award business to an RFI
  • Default RFP templates use closed bidding, meaning suppliers cannot see competitive information like the current lead bid
  • Advanced templates allow for pricing structures like total cost or price breakdowns are included
Reverse Auction
  • Used to gather pricing but not information
  • Many supported formats, including English, Dutch, and Japanese bidding methods
  • Competitive information shown in the form of lead bid or supplier rank
  • Suppliers expected to prepare in advance of the live bidding period which typically runs for a few hours

Common Terms for Sourcing

TermDefinition
Quick ProjectGeneric term for any type of online Sourcing Event that is a stand-alone event
Project OwnerPublishes and manages sourcing events
Team MembersHelp Project Owner manage sourcing events
Suppliers (Participants)Respond to sourcing events with bids and/or information
Customer AdministratorManages the SAP Ariba Sourcing solution
TemplateA template is a set of rules and content that determines the functionality and initial content of a particular event

Creating a Quick Project

The infographic displays steps for creating a quick project: event creation, template selection, setting rules, inviting participants, and building event content.

Step 1: Create Event and Choose Template

Form for creating a sourcing project, detailing fields like project name, regions, departments, event type, baseline spend, and contract details.
Event Templates
SAP Ariba Sourcing comes with a number of templates to support different needs
Event Header Data
The event creation screen is configurable, allowing companies to capture unique, useful information for searching and reporting

Step 2: Set Event Rules

Event configuration page displays sections for timing rules, bidding rules, currency rules, and market feedback, with customizable options.
Driven by Templates
  • Event templates determine what options event creators will see
  • Each rule can be set in the template to be delegated to the event creator, read-only, or hidden

Step 3: Invite Internal and Supplier Participants

Internal Team Members
Team setup page for an event, displaying groups like Active Observers, Administrators, Global Observers, and Project Owner with assigned members.
  • Invite internal stakeholders with different permissions, allowing them read-only or edit access as needed
Supplier Participants
Supplier invitation page for an event, displaying fields for participant details and options to invite participants, import data, or create postings.
  • Search for suppliers who have previously responded or, if you have the permissions to do so, invite new participants directly

Step 4: Build Event Content

Content configuration page for a sourcing event, listing sections like introduction, commercial terms, and pricing details with editable options.
Use Existing Content
  • Your event may be populated with data from a sourcing request, the sourcing library, or a previous event
Works with Microsoft Excel
  • Excel export and import functionality allows you to create or update your event information outside of SAP Ariba

Create a Sourcing Event

After completing this activity, you will be able to:

  • Create a sourcing event

ExerciseStart Exercise

Learning

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