Dictionary of Procurement Terms

The handling of purchasing process tasks, such as requisitioning, sourcing, and purchasing goods and services electronically via the internet.

Policy that all employees and candidates for hire are treated fairly by the (prospective) employer. Employers are prohibited from using certain characteristics—including age; sex; national origin; color; ethnicity; gender identity; sexual orientation; mental/physical disability; pregnancy; status as a parent; family medical history or genetic information; political affiliation; military service; or other non-meritbased factors—in promotion, recruitment, job allocation, and access to all opportunities and benefits.

Agency responsible for enforcing U.S. federal laws that makes it illegal to discriminate against employees or job applicants because of their age, race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, or mental/physical disability.

The price at which the supply of goods matches the demand.

Major items that are not expendable except through depreciation or wear and tear, and which, although they may be fixed or positioned in prescribed places, do not lose their identity or become integral parts of other items or installations.

Justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism.

Items that correspond or are virtually identical, particularly in function or effect, and are able to be used for the same purpose.

1. The applied science of product/equipment design intended to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. 2. A physical environment designed to enable a worker to work more effectively and safely.