Timing Of Various Phases Research Articles

Bid solicitation and contract negotiation

The process of soliciting bid prices for drug products and of negotiating contracts with pharmaceutical vendors is reviewed. The primary purpose of bid purchasing is to obtain drugs at the lowest price and to have these prices remain fixed for a predetermined period of time. A successful bid-purchasing process depends on the institution's implementation of a formulary brand-standardization policy, prior identification of acceptable vendors and drug products, and establishment of criteria for evaluating drugs under a bid-purchasing system. Specific information to be included in the invitation to bid and useful data other than drug prices that may be solicited from vendors are outlined. Manual and computerized systems for organizing bid-request data are described. Bid evaluations should maintain the confidentiality of bid and contract prices. Selection of winning bids is based on lowest price or, in cases where prices are identical, on selected vendor characteristics or services. Negotiation of unacceptable bid prices should be conducted with a thorough knowledge of the needs and goals of the institution and the vendor. Procedures for establishing contracts and the timing of various phases of the bid process are discussed. An optimal bid-purchasing system is achieved only when the system is carefully planned and designed and when each prospective vendor is given an equal opportunity to establish a contractual relationship with the institution.

TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OFMYTILUS EDULISL. (BIVALVIA, MYTILIDAE) FROM LOCALITIES ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES

The reproductive condition of seven latitudinally separated populations of the mussel Mytilus edulis on the east coast of the United States was determined using histological analysis and stereology. Differences in the timing of various phases of the gametogenic cycle among populations did not have any discernible latitudinal trend. Two populations at the same latitude on Long Island, N. Y. had the greatest temporal differences observed in gametogenic cycle, with summer reproduction maxima separated by a 3-month interval. There was no difference in the water temperature regime between these two habitats and thus the rate of gametogenic development was not a constant function of temperature. The observed differences in the gametogenic cycle were attributed to temporal and quantitative differences between habitats in the energy content of the mussel's food supply.