In order to achieve our mission, the Solutions Group staff utilizes many avenues to identify those vendors who can provide the necessary means to fulfill our mission.

Vendor identification occurs through many avenues:

• Perceived or identified need of the THA membership
• Specific requests by THA membership or allied/affiliated organizations
• Market research to identify current trends in healthcare
• Approach from a vendor that is interested in being affiliated to THA Solutions Group
• Referrals from current vendors

Because our vendor relationships are essential to THA Solutions Group’s success, a lot of time and attention are paid to developing and maintaining those relationships. The vendor selection and approval process normally takes from three to six months to complete. The following describes vendor relationships and the selection/approval process.

Vendor Relationship Characteristics

• Contractual -- Normally based on a one to three-year term.
• Revenue-Share and/or Fee Based –- Recommended Solutions pay a flat fee per year. Preferred Vendors pay a small annual fee plus a revenue share. Strategic Initiatives are revenue-based per individual contract.
• Exclusivity -– All of our vendors have exclusivity with the THA membership for their products or services.
• Mutually driven -- THA Solutions Group’s staff works hard to provide vendors exposure to the THA membership through in-house marketing efforts and personal introductions. It is up to the vendor to sell the product or service to the membership.

Vendor Selection/Approval Process

1. Search begins for a vendor to meet an identified need. This is achieved through avenues previously mentioned.
2. Selections for qualified candidates occur through either an RFP and/or interview process. Background checks are performed on all candidates.
3. When a vendor is chosen, contract negotiations proceed.
4. Before a contract can be signed, the THA Solutions Group and THA boards of directors must approve the vendor relationships.
5. After a contract is signed, a vendor-specific marketing plan is developed with the vendor.
6. The plan is implemented and monitored for effectiveness at specific intervals.