Procurement prerequisites

IntroductionUp

Procurement does not automatically follow discovery. Here we describe the main prerequisites of a decision to procure a resource.

Availability

In some cases, we can include attested translations in the database even though the resource is not available for procurement. Examples:

  • an interactive web dictionary that supplies translations one-by-one on demand
  • a human informant who provides translations based on personal knowledge

Evaluation

Suppose you have discovered a resource. Should we procure it? Not necessarily. Before we make a procurement decision, we do some evaluation. Here are the main facts about a resource that support procuring it:

  • We have not already procured it. This may seem obvious, but procuring a duplicate is an easy mistake to make. Consult our list of registered sources to verify that we don’t yet have the one you are considering. If you need more detailed information about a suspected duplicate that is already registered, check its record with PanLem.
  • It is inexpensive to procure. An extreme case of this is that it can be freely and easily downloaded.
  • It rates well in our list of acquisition priorities.
  • It has not been rendered superfluous by a later and better resource.

Payment approval

If procurement requires payment, discuss this with our Source Acquisition Specialist so the arrangements for approval and payment are clear.