Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Practice Test

How should a buyer respond to an invitation from a supplier for lunch to discuss contract performance?

1. Decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in the office

2. Join the supplier for lunch, but pay for himself

3. Ask the end user to join the supplier and the buyer for lunch and count it as a business meeting

4. Report the supplier to the supervisor

The correct answer is: Decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in the office

The appropriate response to an invitation from a supplier for lunch to discuss contract performance is to decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in the office. This approach is rooted in the principles of ethical behavior and integrity in buyer-supplier relationships. Accepting a lunch invitation from a supplier could create a perception of favoritism, conflict of interest, or undue influence, which may compromise the integrity of the procurement process. By declining the invitation and proposing an office meeting instead, the buyer maintains professional boundaries and ensures that all discussions regarding contract performance are conducted in a transparent and formal environment. This fosters a sense of fairness and accountability, which is crucial in public procurement. Meeting in the office also ensures that discussions are documented and can be easily referenced later, which is important for compliance and governance standards typically upheld in public sector purchasing. It helps maintain a clear record of interactions while mitigating any potential ethical dilemmas that might arise from informal settings.