Dictionary of Procurement Terms

Welcome to the NIGP Online Dictionary of Procurement Terms, the comprehensive reference for public purchasing terms and concepts.

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Search Results: 71-80 of 214 results for “S”

  • Single Sourcing

    A procurement decision whereby purchases are directed to one source because of standardization, warranty, or other factors, even though other competitive sources may be available.

    See Also: Sole Sourcing

  • Site Inspection

    Visit to the actual location where the contract is to be performed by potential bidders or proposers to become familiar with site conditions. May be held in conjunction with a pre-bid or pre-proposal conference.

  • Six Sigma

    Six Sigma is a problem-solving methodology that helps enhance business and organizational operations. It can also be defined in a number of other ways: a quality level of 3.4 defects per million opportunities, a rate of improvement of 70 percent or better, a data-driven, problem-solving methodology of Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control, and an initiative taken on by organizations to create bottom-line breakthrough change. (Gygi, Williams, & Covey, 2012)

  • Skid

    A wood or metal platform fitted with two runners, or with legs, upon which material is placed or transported.

  • Skills Gap

    Gap between skills required for emerging jobs and the skills of workers. A stress metric pushing employers to provide additional training opportunities for their employees. A possible factor in labor hour contracts where training is a component of the labor rate. (Business, 2002)

  • SKU


    See Also: Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU)

  • SLA


    See Also: Service Level Agreement (SLA)

  • Slap and Ship

    A supply management term used to describe the process of applying RFID tags in the distribution center prior to shipment. (ISM, 2000)

  • Small Business

    An independently owned firm, corporation, or establishment, having a small number of employees, low volume of sales, small amount of assets, and limited impact on the market.

  • Small Business Act

    1999 act that establishes the Federal Government’s responsibility to aid, counsel, assist, and promote the interests of small businesses (as defined by the Small Business Administration), and to place with such businesses a fair proportion of Federal Government purchases and ​contracts for goods and services.