Market dialogue allows buyers to better understand supplier capabilities and refine their requirements. It promotes collaboration, helps clarify technical details, and indicates how much interest and competition exists in the market. However, it doesn’t replace the formal procurement process and still carries some risk if not managed transparently.

Creating a detailed specification and publicly advertising the requirement are key preparatory steps in issuing an ITT (Invitation to Tender). These ensure that suppliers understand the requirement and have the opportunity to respond, promoting transparency and competition.

Service credits are financial compensations provided to the buyer when the supplier fails to meet the agreed-upon service levels outlined in the SLA. They serve as a remedy for underperformance. Service guarantees are commitments to meet certain standards, service standards define the expected level of service, and service schedules outline the timing of service delivery, but none directly compensate the buyer for service failures.

Model contracts are pre-drafted templates commonly accepted in specific industries, helping to reduce negotiation time and increase consistency. They are often familiar to both parties, reducing misunderstandings. However, they are not court-approved by default and may not suit all complex needs without modifications.

SFO issued an RFQ with defined terms and condition and detailed specification. This RFQ can be considered as an invitation to treat. Vogon's quotation is an answer to the purchaser's RFQ and is an offer to SFO. The contract come to life at the time Vogon received the notification from SFO senior management.

The strike may be a force majeur event, depending on the contract particular clauses and jurisdiction. In common law countries, force majeur is applicable as an exclusion of liability only if the contract allows it. In many civil law countries, force majeur is an implied term. But in every jurisdiction, force majeur is only a reason for excluding liability for non-performance of a contract. In other words, the non-performance party is not liable for any breach if force majeur event occurs but the event does not exclude the breach.

LO 1, AC 1.2

An offer is a full statement of what the offeror is willing to provide and the terms by which they are willing to provide it.

There are some statements that are not offers:

- Invitation to treat: this states that a person or organisation is willing to enter into discussions about the possibility of a deal, but does not confirm a willingness to be bound by any terms mentioned. Catalogues, goods on display and ITTs are invitation to treat.

Civil law countries may have different perspective on this matter. Article 2:201 (3) of The Principles of European Contract Law states: 'A proposal to supply goods or services at stated prices made by a professional supplier in a public advertisement or a catalogue, or by a display of goods, is presumed to be an offer to sell or supply at that price until the stock of goods, or the supplier's capacity to supply the service, is exhausted.' Learners are advised to look at their countries' legislation for more information on offer and acceptance.

- Declaration of intention: this is defined as an aim or a plan.

- A 'mere puff' (or boast): this is anything which is not intended to be taken literally or seriously, such as many advertisement.

- Provision of information: merely provides information, but provider does not confirm willingness to be bound.

In order to form a contract to come into being, there are five conditions:

- Offer

- Acceptance

- Consideration

- Intention to be legally bound

- Capacity to contract