SOW Supplier Subcategories: Self-service setup

Prepare your SOW templates with the right suppliers for each type of work.

SOW supplier subcategories let you associate suppliers to predefined classifications within a Statement of Work (SOW) template. This setup determines which suppliers are eligible for specific types of work before an SOW is created. By aligning suppliers to subcategories at the template level, you ensure only relevant suppliers are available during SOW creation, improving accuracy and consistency from the start.

Why it matters

• Ensure the right suppliers are available when an SOW is created from a template.
• Reduce manual effort when selecting suppliers.
• Create consistency across SOWs that use the same template.
• Support better decisions with structured supplier alignment.
• Strengthen compliance by linking suppliers to the correct workflows and requirements.

Who it’s for

• Program managers managing SOW supplier pools and templates
• Procurement teams overseeing supplier eligibility and engagement
• Administrators configuring SOW templates and supplier associations

How it helps

• Align suppliers to templates so only relevant vendors are available during SOW creation.
• Standardize supplier eligibility across all SOWs created from a template.
• Support cost comparisons by grouping similar suppliers within subcategories.
• Improve visibility into supplier capabilities and performance by subcategory.
• Apply consistent processes by aligning suppliers to the correct workflows and requirements.

Action steps

• The SOW Supplier Subcategory feature is enabled in your environment.
• You have permission to manage templates and suppliers.
• SOW templates and subcategories are already configured.
• Suppliers are already associated with subcategories.

How to steps

1. Select Preferences > VMS Settings > Statement of Work. A Statement of Work page displays.
2. Select Supplier Sub-Categories. A Template Supplier Subcategories page displays.
3. Select Manage Template Suppliers for Subcategory. A Manage Template Suppliers for Subcategory page displays.
4. Select the Template Search icon in the Template Subcategory section. A Select Template dialog displays.
5. Locate a template from the list or use the Search icon to find the one you want. Then select OK to apply your choices and close the Select Template dialog.
6. Select the Subcategory Search icon in the Template Subcategory section. A Select Subcategory dialog displays.
7. Locate the categories from the list you want to add or use the Search icon to find the ones you want. Then select OK to apply your choices and close the Select Subcategory dialog.
8. Select Submit.

The supplier subcategories you chose are associate with the template you selected are available to users when they create an SOW using that template.

What happens next

• The selected subcategories are associated with the SOW template.
• Suppliers linked to those subcategories become eligible for SOWs created from that template.
• When a user creates an SOW, the supplier pool is already filtered.