Using standards in specification is very convenient. They reduce the time and effort to produce. They tend to be very accurate with correct technical terminologies. They are well recognised and accepted by a wide range of suppliers and buyers. However, since a standard is very specific, complex and lengthy, it requires a lot of time to be drafted and approved. Therefore, standard tends to be static and don't encourage innovation. It may also not accommodate latest technology and trends.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.1

All procurement has some level of impact on the environment that needs to be minimised to ensure sustainable procurement practices.
The greatest opportunity to influence environmental outcomes is by selecting products and services with the least ongoing environmental impacts, such as use of water, electricity and fuel, waste/disposal management, and impact on human health over the life of the product or service.
Lifecycle stages that impact on the environment:

Most goods and services will have an element of environment impact in a number of areas. The five main impact areas are listed in the following table.

Source: Buying for Victoria
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.2

A firm also has to look at a myriad of other factors before setting its prices. Those factors include the offering's costs, the demand, the customers whose needs it is designed to meet, the external environment-such as the competition, the economy, and government regulations-and other aspects of the marketing mix, such as the nature of the offering, the current stage of its product life cycle, and its promotion and distribution. If a company plans to sell its products or services in international markets, research on the factors for each market must be analyzed before setting prices. Organizations must understand buyers, competitors, the economic conditions, and political regulations in other markets before they can compete successfully.
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The costs of the product-its inputs-including the amount spent on product development, testing, and packaging required have to be taken into account when a pricing decision is made. So do the costs related to promotion and distribution. For example, when a new offering is launched, its promotion costs can be very high because people need to be made aware that it exists. Thus, the offering's stage in the product life cycle can affect its price.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 90-91
- 15.2 Factors That Affect Pricing Decisions - Principles of Marketing (umn.edu) LO 2, AC 2.2

Through-life management is a approach applied to capital asset. According to Ward and Graves, Through-life Management involves the life-cycle management of the products, services and activities required to deliver a fully integrated capability to the customer, while reducing the cost of ownership for the customer. According to CIPS study guide, through-life management comprises of 6 parts:
1. Design
2. Manufacture
3. Installation
4. In-service support
5. Decommission and disposal
6. Customer support
In this scenario, the company is planning to procure a ship, which is a capital asset. Through life management is a good approach. Sealines can start with developing through-life specification. This approach may have several benefits:
- It lowers the costs over the whole life of the asset
- It lowers the risks as there is a single company accountable for costs and service over the life of the asset
- A closer match between the asset delivered and the users' needs
- Development of capability over the life of the asset as the supplier continues to get experience of the users' needs and can adapt services to meet them.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 130-131;
- Through-life management: The provision of total customer solutions in the aerospace industry, by Yvonne Ward and Andrew Graves LO 3, AC 3.2

Printing and office supplies are often considered as low risk, low value items. Consolidation low value, low risk items into a broader range will dramatically increases the value of the contract and leverage of buying organisation in the negotiation.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.1