Certified Materials and Resource Professional Practice 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Excellence!

The practice of "cherry picking" GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) contracts is generally not considered an efficient method for selecting products and services because it can lead to suboptimal purchasing decisions that do not align with the overall goals of cost savings and value. When cherry picking, procurement professionals may focus solely on a select few contracts based on immediate needs or perceived individual benefits, rather than considering the comprehensive advantages offered by leveraging a range of GPO agreements. This approach can result in missed opportunities for bulk discounts, improved terms, and enhanced supplier relationships that are more readily available when utilizing the full suite of available contracts.

Additionally, cherry picking can create inconsistencies in procurement practices and complicate inventory management, as it may lead to sourcing products from various suppliers without a consolidated strategy. Efficient procurement relies on systematic evaluation and selection processes that encompass all relevant data and contracts to maximize savings and standardization across the organization, thereby ensuring better financial outcomes and operational efficiency. Thus, the best practice is to engage deeply with GPO contracts to harness their full potential rather than selecting specific items out of context.