Explanation
Negotiation doesn't end after the contract is awarded. The needs for negotiation can arise in anypost-award stages. For example, at supplier development and relationship management stage, improvement in supplier capability, capacity, and product/service range can be negotiated. Negotiations with long-term strategic critical suppliers should be carriedout in a partnering style, with a win-win starting point assumed.
In some sectors such as transport, utilities and infrastructure, tenderers may 'bid low' or even make a loss to win major contracts with a view to negotiating lucrative changes, variationsand 'add-ons' over the life of the contract when the supplier is bedded in and the buyer is in the weaker position to push back or challenge. Even in less complex contract, it is very likely that there will be a need to negotiate with that supplier again after the awarding of the contract.
LO 1, AC 1.1

Professional buyers, when planning or engaging in negotiation with suppliers, should always be aware ofwhere the intended and actual relationship with this supplier is positioned on the 'spectrum' or 'continuum' of commercial relationships. The relationship spectrum describes the range of commercial relationships between a buyer and supplier based on richness of communication, longevity and mutual dependence.
Timeline Description automatically generated

In the question, the contract is simple one-off (or spot buy), which means the relationship will likely to be more transactional. In such relationship, price is the most important criteria and buyer may adopt arm's-length approach.

Explanation
Becoming a preferred customer to supplier's perspective can increase the purchaser's leverage in negotiation.
Beside the size of buying organisation or its spend, the following may be sufficient to differentiate the buyer from other buying organisations:
- Simple procurement processes
- Simple contracting processes
- Clear and concise documentation
- Absence of onerous supplier terms and conditions (onerous supplier terms and conditions mean that obligations imposed on suppliers are greater than their gains)
- On-time payment: The reduction in hassle for both supplier and the buyer, if bills are paid on time, is significant. From the customer's perspective it could also be the opener to agreeing preferential payment terms. A supplier may weigh up that payment on time at 60 days is worth taking, over the current 30-day terms that slip to 90 days and beyond.
-Transparent processes
- Ethical behavior
LO 1, AC 1.3

Explanation
Both organisational and personal power have the ability to influence the outcomes of negotiation. Good negotiators recognises the different sources of relative personal power they possess in a negotiation. There is no one superior source of personal power; they will vary in their effectiveness based on the situation. The more personal sources available the better, even if some not used, these can be used as a fallback.
LO 1, AC 1.3

Explanation
The agreement and closingphase is the phase when it is either clear through explicit language, or strongly suggested through non-verbal signals, that TOP is ready to move to agreement. Judging when to close can be difficult and as with phases of the negotiation, experience, observation, practice and reflection will be the best ways to learn here.
In the closing phase, procurement should:
- Watch for closing/buying signals
- Check to ensure all issues have been resolved
- Consider using visual aids to summarise
- Use 'summary close'
- Make a decision to conclude/close
- Seek agreement in principle if TOP does not have the final authority
- Make your own private notes on the final agreement
- Shake hands on the agreement
- Leave the meeting as soon as possible thereafter.
LO 3, AC 3.1