Prospective suppliers must meet certain minimum qualification requirements and these may vary by product or service. However, certain factors are common for all.

Financial Stability
Sound credit rating and financial stability as indicated by credit and financial reports.

Established Business
In business for at least three years, with other satisfied customers.

Insurance Requirements
Full insurance coverage compatible with the risks of your business, at the level required by Thomson West for the particular contract in question.

Taxpayer Identification
US Federal Taxpayer ID or country equivalent taxpayer identification.

Quality Standards
High-quality products and equipment that are fully warranted. Must perform services professionally and to Thomson West's satisfaction.

Legal Title
Must have legal and marketable title to all products supplied.

Delivery Schedules
Make on-time delivery to Thomson warehouses, facilities or other locations.

Competitive Pricing

• Prices that are competitive within the industry.
• Pricing and any discounts equal to, or better than, that given to other customers with a comparable volume of business.

Tax Payments
Responsible collection and payment of appropriate sales tax to proper agencies.

Business Conduct and Ethics

• Adherence to the highest standards in hiring and employee safety.
• Compliance with all local and national labor laws, including regulations pertaining to minimum wage and maximum working hours per week.
• Agreement not to hire any underage employee, not to discriminate based upon race, creed, sex, or sexual orientation, and not to use any forced or involuntary labor.
• Agreement to meet or exceed all local environmental codes pertaining to fire and safety (including U.S. company compliance with OSHA regulations), in order to provide safe working conditions for employees and protection for Thomson works in progress. This includes, but is not limited to, providing first aid and conducting an annual inspection approved by local fire departments or an independent surveyor.

Once awarded a contract or agreement, suppliers must meet added requirements to be awarded continuing business.

Quality Program
To meet our goals and client expectations, the products we purchase must be of the highest quality and reliability. Quality is built-in, not inspected into a product or service. Suppliers must demonstrate their quality control programs and should adopt methods such as statistical quality control to ensure delivery of high quality products and services.

Electronic Information
For products ordered in large volume, suppliers should be capable of using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to receive, confirm, and invoice orders. High-volume purchases should include bar codes for inventory and tracking.

Technical Improvement
Suppliers, particularly manufacturers, should have a research and development program to continually improve products and incorporate new technology. These improvements make good business sense as well as ensure we make the most of our mutual resources.

Cost Reduction
Thomson will work with chosen suppliers to reduce costs. These savings should be reflected in reduced prices.