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The Bottom Line

Caused by the unprecedented and ongoing economic situation from the COVID-19 pandemic, price inflation is being closely monitored by leading experts. Many industries are already seeing pressure on transport, raw materials, and increased demand. Among these areas is packaging — specifically, packaging that is manufactured from corrugated cardboard. 

As 2021 closed and the world is still processing COVID-19’s devastating impact, procurement professionals continue to navigate murky waters. Amid setbacks, new virus variants, supply chain disruptions, and a continuously stuck transportation industry, procurement professionals need to be one step ahead to mitigate current and future disruptions and protect the supply chain while driving value for their organizations. 

A request for proposal (RFP) is a formal request issued by an organization that seeks specific products or services to address the organization’s essential business needs. After receiving the RFP, the vendor submits a proposal that demonstrates their qualifications, costs, and solutions in providing the requested services. From there, the issuer of the RFP vets the offerings and chooses the best solutions and cost of services.

Transportation companies are essential to the supply chain since they quickly deliver incoming materials and ship finished goods to customers. Though some operate with their own transportation fleet, most small to medium-sized manufacturers rely on external transportation companies, which means most have been faced with significantly increased land and air freight costs and challenges that began during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.