Sourcing, RFP & contracting
Our procurement approach
Supplier selection principles: The goal of Fresenius Medical Care is to establish long-term partnerships with suppliers who share our commitment to responsible and ethical sourcing, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Fair and transparent sourcing: Suppliers must remain transparent about their business activities, structure, financial situation, performance, and overall business practices. This transparency must align with applicable laws, regulations, and social and industry standards. For more details, please refer to the Global Code of Conduct for Business Partners.
Supplier collaboration: Fresenius Medical Care utilizes a global e-sourcing tool, Jaggaer Advanced Sourcing Optimizer (ASO), to manage supplier applications and quotes. Jaggaer is a web-based application that coordinates and streamlines buying activities and sourcing events over the internet.
Participating in sourcing events
How sourcing events work: Once a sourcing event is initiated, invitations are automatically generated by Jaggaer and sent from invitations(at)aso.jaggaer.com.
- Suppliers must register using the link provided in the invitation email.
- After registering, suppliers can access the specific sourcing event to submit their proposals.
- Note: Suppliers cannot directly request to participate in sourcing events; participation is by invitation only, based on Fresenius Medical Care’s current procurement needs.
Supplier evaluation criteria: The purpose of our Request for Information/Proposal/Quote (RFI/P/Q) process is to evaluate supplier solutions against our core operational standards. Submissions are assessed based on:
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments
- Regulatory compliance
- Assurance of supply
- Quality, cost, and service
- Innovation
Sourcing Resources:
Responsible sourcing and sustainability
The Global Code of Conduct for Business Partners is hosted directly within Jaggaer sourcing events. Suppliers must formally review and agree to the terms of this document before they can proceed with any other activities inside the Jaggaer platform.
Sustainability expectations: At Fresenius Medical Care, sustainability is central to how we operate, and your role as a key supply chain partner is vital to our success. Responsible sourcing extends beyond delivering quality products – it requires aligning with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards that drive shared value.
We integrate sustainability criteria and dedicated questionnaires into our sourcing process to ensure our partnerships reflect a mutual dedication to innovation, risk management, and supply chain resilience. By meeting these standards, you help us maintain the high values that matter to our organization, our patients, and the wider community. This collaboration positions us as leaders in a market that values responsible business practices.
Contracting
Fresenius Medical Care utilizes a structured and transparent contracting framework to ensure compliant, efficient, and mutually beneficial collaboration with our suppliers.
The onboarding and contracting lifecycle
Our engagement process moves systematically through four key phases:
- Onboarding and due diligence: Following the initial sourcing process, suppliers undergo an onboarding and formal qualification, registration, and compliance due diligence checks.
- Contract negotiation: Formal negotiated contracts are typically established using our standard templates. These undergo internal legal and business reviews before being executed by authorized representatives of both parties.
- Purchase orders as contracts: Depending on various factors, such as scope and nature of the engagement, sometimes a standard PO incorporating Fresenius Medical Care’s standard terms and conditions may serve as the contract between the parties.
- Lifecycle management: Once the contract or PO is executed, suppliers deliver goods or services in line with agreed terms. Performance, quality, and regulatory compliance are continuously monitored throughout the partnership lifecycle.