What requirement must be fulfilled before procuring from another source?

Before procuring from another source, it is essential to determine the suitability of the original vendor. This requirement emphasizes the importance of evaluating the performance and reliability of the current vendor before making a decision to switch. If the original vendor is not deemed suitable—perhaps due to issues such as unmet contractual obligations, subpar performance, or failure to deliver adequate products or services—only then does it warrant seeking alternative suppliers.

This evaluation protects the interests of the procurement process, ensuring that decisions are grounded in performance metrics and contractual compliance. It also aligns with good procurement practices, encouraging entities to assess the integrity and capability of existing partnerships prior to exploring new vendor relationships.

Other options do involve relevant aspects of the procurement process but do not directly address the immediate requirement before changing vendors. For instance, executing a competitive bidding process usually occurs after a determination to seek alternatives has been made, and filing a vendor performance report is typically part of the assessment that influences whether to continue business with an original vendor or not. Consulting with the Texas Workforce Commission may be relevant in specific contexts but does not specifically relate to vendor suitability.