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Language Foundation

approved vendor

Approved vendor is the status of a supplier that has been formally accepted by an organization as suitable to supply specified goods or services.

In plain English

A supplier can be on record with an organization without having this status. This status means the organization has formally accepted that supplier as suitable for the specific goods or services named.

In context

Here, "approved vendor" classifies a supplier as one the organization has formally accepted as suitable to provide the specified goods or services for purchasing.

Situation
Running procurement, vendor review, purchase approval, and contract workflow
What it communicates
classifies a supplier as cleared for use in purchasing

Meaning limits

By itself, this status does not establish that the supplier is accepted for all goods or services or that any purchase will happen.

Examples

“Although the clinic had the supplier on file, it was not an approved vendor for surgical masks.”

Core meaning

“The committee added the cleaning company as an approved vendor for window washing.”

In context

  • approved supplier Near Synonym

    Both refer to a supplier that has formal acceptance to provide specified goods or services.

  • preferred vendor Contrast

    A preferred vendor has a stronger selection priority, while an approved vendor is accepted without that meaning.