Rice University has identified through competition, access to competitively-bid contracts and other consortium platforms a number of suppliers in a variety of commodity areas. These suppliers are referred to on campus as Preferred Suppliers and have the endorsement of the Controller's Office. Suppliers in these commodity areas not designated as Preferred will not be supported or otherwise endorsed and campus customers will be discouraged from using non-preferred suppliers. To the end, suppliers not qualified as Preferred Suppliers are discouraged from offering goods or services to faculty and staff that conflict with the Preferred Supplier program. Faculty and staff are advised that it is in their best interests (best value, best terms, etc.) to conduct business with Preferred Suppliers.