What must happen once the solicitation drafting process begins?

In the context of the procurement process, once the solicitation drafting process begins, all communication with vendors must cease to ensure fairness and transparency. This is critical to maintaining an equal opportunity for all bidders and to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or biases that could arise from uneven information dissemination. The cessation of communication protects the integrity of the procurement process, as it prevents any vendor from gaining an unfair advantage by receiving inside information or special treatment.

This practice is commonly known as a "blackout period," which is enforced to ensure a level playing field for all potential bidders. During this time, questions or clarifications regarding the solicitation would typically be handled via formal channels rather than direct communication with individual vendors. This helps to maintain the process's integrity and ensures that all vendors receive the same information at the same time, enhancing the fairness of the competitive bidding process.