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 BECOME ELIGIBLE
IS&S
EARNED STATUS · INVITATION ONLY

Become an IS&S
Strategic Source.

Strategic Source is an earned supplier designation for Preferred Sources that have demonstrated strong pricing, responsiveness, category capability, and fulfillment performance with IS&S. It cannot be purchased or applied for directly.

Performance earns the designation. Join Preferred Source first, perform reliably on actual opportunities and orders, and IS&S may invite your company into Strategic Source status.

SEE THE PATH TO STRATEGIC SOURCE →

For proven suppliers that consistently help IS&S source competitively, respond quickly, and fulfill accurately.

STRATEGIC SOURCE — PERFORMANCE-BASED SUPPLIER STATUS
01 Priority Inclusion Relevant sourcing runs
02 Performance Status Earned through demonstrated results
03 Deeper Integration Category + fulfillment knowledge
04 Relationship Review Performance can be reassessed
$0
STATUS
FEE
EARN
PERFORMANCE-BASED
DESIGNATION
INV
INVITATION
ONLY
0
GUARANTEED
ORDER VOLUME
WHAT THE STATUS MEANS

IS&S has seen enough performance to treat your company as a proven sourcing option.

Strategic Source is not a paid directory tier. It is an internal IS&S supplier designation based on observed commercial and fulfillment performance. The designation can apply to the categories where the supplier has demonstrated useful capability and can be reviewed, expanded, limited, or removed as performance changes.

01

Competitive commercial response

Current pricing, usable quote validity, clear freight, and commercially practical terms.

02

Reliable fulfillment

Accurate items, quantities, tracking, delivery performance, and prompt resolution when exceptions occur.

03

Category capability

Depth of products, equivalents, brands, availability, and sourcing knowledge in the categories you support.

04

Responsive communication

Fast answers, clear lead times, documented changes, and dependable order communication.

STRATEGIC SOURCE DOES NOT MEAN
Guaranteed purchase orders Government-preferred status Minimum purchase volume Category exclusivity Automatic award or selection Permanent status
WHAT CHANGES AFTER DESIGNATION

A stronger place inside the IS&S sourcing workflow.

  • Priority inclusion when an applicable sourcing run is built
  • Supplier performance history retained with the relationship
  • Earlier outreach when category fit and timing support it
  • Greater familiarity with your products, terms, and fulfillment model
  • Potential review for recurring or repeat requirements
  • Negotiated order terms when commercially appropriate
WHAT STILL CONTROLS EACH ORDER

Every requirement still has to make commercial sense.

  • Exact specification or acceptable equivalent
  • Current landed cost and price competitiveness
  • Required quantity and availability
  • Delivery date and destination
  • Compliance and documentation requirements
  • Order-specific risk, terms, and fulfillment capability
PERFORMANCE AREAS

What IS&S can evaluate before extending or renewing Strategic Source status.

EARNED
PricingCompetitive and current
Response SpeedQuotes and questions answered promptly
AvailabilityStock and lead times accurately represented
Order AccuracyCorrect items and quantities
DeliveryTracking and on-time fulfillment
Issue ResolutionExceptions handled quickly
Category DepthUseful alternatives and product knowledge
Commercial TermsClear freight, payment, and quote terms
Preferred Source — Entry Apply at $0 to join the IS&S supplier network and become eligible for sourcing consideration.
Strategic Source — Earned Invitation-only status for suppliers that demonstrate sustained value and execution.
NOT YET A PREFERRED SOURCE? Strategic Source starts with Preferred Source.

Join the supplier network first. There is no separate Strategic Source application or fee.

BECOME A PREFERRED SOURCE →