Under what circumstance is a sole-source justification appropriate?

• A. When multiple suppliers can meet the requirements
• B. When only one supplier can meet the requirements and competitive procurement is impracticable
• C. When price is high but quality is good
• D. When the contract is within a framework agreement

Answer: (B)

The situation being tested is when you can justify selecting a single supplier without a competitive process. A sole-source justification is appropriate only if only one supplier can meet the requirements and competitive procurement is impracticable. That means there aren’t viable alternate sources, and forcing competition would create unnecessary delay, risk, or would be impossible due to unique capabilities, proprietary aspects, or time constraints.

If multiple suppliers could meet the requirements, you would pursue a competitive process. The other options don’t fit because they don't address the absence of viable alternatives or impracticality of competition; relying on price vs. quality, or using a framework agreement, doesn't constitute a sole-source justification.