According to James M. Macleod:

> Nancy Verstreate wrote:
> > Does anyone use any other microfiche vendor than UMI? I'm required to get 3
> > price quotes and am only familiar with UMI.
>
> Hi, Nancy:
>
>         The question is: What are you trying to buy? You may not have
> three possible sources to choose from. UMI will not distribute its
> products through subscription agencies, so that's out. Other
> micro-publishers are likely to be issuing different publications
> altogether, so if you want a UMI title, that's not an option.
>
>         To a great extent, you are required to purchase from whoever it
> is who a) holds the rights for micropublishing of a particular title and
> b) has the master negative....

Nancy, usually a procurement office that requires multiple
price quotes also has a "Sole Source" form to be used when
there is only one vendor for a product. Our Dept Army
Contracting Office routinely gets Sole Source justifications
from us. It saves the buyers time and us hassles. If you like,
I can fax you a copy of our justification forms.

--
Holly K. Hill, Van Noy Library, Ft. Belvoir, VA
hhill@leo.vsla.edu