sole source
Single exclusive provider
Sole source describes a procurement situation where only one supplier can provide a particular good or service, eliminating competitive bidding: The contract was awarded sole source because no other vendor had the required security clearances.
Government and corporate purchasing rules typically require justification for sole source contracts, since they bypass the cost savings of competition.
As a verb, to sole-source is to procure this way: We had to sole-source the replacement parts.
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- exclusive rightsProtected singular ownership claims
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- singleOne in number
- providerOne who furnishes things
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