Free CIPS L4M4 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 9

Response times should be tailored to the complexity of the tender. Responsible sourcing encourages flexibility in setting realistic timelines that allow suppliers adequate time to prepare, supporting efficient and effective sourcing without unnecessary delays.

Explanation

This is an Invitation to Tender.

The only other real document listed in Request for Quotation. This is incorrect because the document asks questions relating to how they will deliver the service. This means price isn't the only factor, which is the case for a RfQ.

Request for Tender and Invitation to Quote are not real things.

Public sector procurement is bound by transparency, fairness, and value-for-money principles. Once minimum thresholds are met, evaluation must be based on pre-published weighted criteria (often combining price, quality, sustainability, and social value). Sole reliance on price or location would breach fairness and equal treatment obligations. Weighted scoring ensures that decisions are objective, defendable, and aligned with responsible sourcing principles. This also allows ethical and sustainability considerations to be formally scored alongside commercial ones, reinforcing good governance.

Incorporating standards within specifications provides clear guidelines for suppliers, reducing ambiguity and helping ensure consistency in quality and performance. This aligns with ethical and responsible sourcing practices by promoting transparency and setting consistent expectations for suppliers.

In a full competitive tendering process, particularly in the public sector, buyers must not pre-select or favour a supplier. The process is designed to ensurefairness, transparency, and equal treatment, even though this can limit speed in urgent situations. While this may delay rapid supplier selection, it protects against bias and misuse of public funds. The objective is not to prevent quick decisions altogether, but to preventunfair or non-compliant decisions. Ethical and responsible sourcing requires adherence to due process, especially where public accountability is involved.

Technical capability focuses on the capacity to meet specification, volume, and reliability (including contingency). While maintenance is relevant, the clearest indicator among these options is the proven ability to deliver required quantities and hold contingency stock. Financial gearing and reputational associations are separate selection dimensions (financial/ethical).

Under FOB (Free on Board), the buyer assumes responsibility once the goods are loaded onto the ship, including costs and risks beyond this point. This Incoterm is commonly used in international trade, helping both parties clarify responsibilities and promote fair risk distribution.

Tariffs/import duties increase the landed cost of imports, which shields domestic producers by making foreign alternatives relatively more expensive. They do not go to the foreign supplier and typically do not lower consumer prices.

Profitability and asset levels indicate a supplier’s financial stability and ability to meet contract demands. Responsible sourcing practices include assessing financial capacity to reduce risk in the supply chain and ensure long-term supplier viability.

A full competitive tendering process ensures fairness by treating all suppliers equally, allowing them to compete on a level playing field. This aligns with ethical sourcing principles, especially in the public sector, where transparency and equal opportunity are paramount.