What problem does it solve? Finding and vetting reliable suppliers for B2B procurement is slow and risky, especially when sourcing overseas where trading companies pose as factories and certificates are easily faked. This Skill provides a structured methodology to discover vendors, verify their legitimacy, score them objectively, and negotiate better terms. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Supplier Discovery: Search patterns for Thomasnet, Alibaba, Global Sources, IndiaMART, Kompass, and ImportYeti matched to sourcing geography, including China+1 alternatives like Vietnam, India, and Mexico. - Vendor Evaluation Matrix: Weighted scoring across quality, cost, delivery, capability, reliability, and compliance, plus Total Cost of Ownership calculation beyond unit price. - Verification & Risk Assessment: Customs data cross-checks, certificate verification, business license validation, and red-flag detection for financial, operational, geopolitical, and supply chain risks. - RFP & Negotiation Frameworks: RFP structure, evaluation process, negotiation levers ranked by yield, and contract terms including AQL quality SLAs and NNN agreements for China. - Use Case: You need to source 5,000 custom plastic components and want to compare Chinese versus Mexican manufacturers. The Skill builds a shortlist of 8-12 candidates, verifies each via ImportYeti customs records, scores them on a weighted matrix, and prepares negotiation talking points on MOQ, payment terms, and tooling ownership. ## Quick Start Research and compare suppliers for injection-molded plastic enclosures with a target volume of 5,000 units, then build an evaluation matrix and recommend a shortlist.
