Performing Purchasing Agent Duties

Performing Purchasing Agent Duties Business is booming for Waters, Inc., a growing customer service fulfillment business. Most of its business is coming from clients who once outsourced their customer service
needs to firms in India. A major client just signed a contract that will take effect in nine months. This means there are only nine months to purchase the equipment and to train 75 new customer service representatives.
As a purchasing agent, you are tasked with getting the computer equipment and software that the new agents
will need to the specifications of both the client and established company standards.
This assignment has three distinct parts that are outlined below. This paper will be 8–10-pages long. Label
each part clearly.
Part 1: Need Identification and Specification
Create 10–12 questions that you will ask the client in order to determine the exact hardware and software
needs. Provide a brief rationale for asking the questions.
Part 2: RFP
Write a request for proposal based on the needs and specifications identified during the need and specification
stage. Note: You will have to fabricate the needs and specifications based on outside research, e.g., standard
computer specifications, basic software needs, etc.
Describe how and to whom you will distribute the RFP. Assume the company has a requirement that minorityowned businesses must be included in the distribution of the RFP.
Part 3: Timeline of Tasks and Activities
Develop a comprehensive timeline of the tasks and activities, and who is involved with each task or activity,
that need to take place to fulfill the need in the time frame indicated in the scenario. You will be graded on the
completeness of the list and the realistic nature of the timeline.