# Vendor Evaluation

> Systematically evaluate and select vendors for infrastructure, SaaS, or services.

- Skill: `sethdford/vendor-evaluation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/vendor-evaluation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/vendor-evaluation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/vendor-evaluation

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# Vendor Evaluation

Evaluate vendors using structured criteria including cost, SLA, support, roadmap alignment, and lock-in risk.

## Instructions

1. **Functional Requirements**: What features must vendor provide?
2. **Non-Functional**: Performance, scalability, security, compliance
3. **Business Terms**: Pricing, contracts, SLA, support response times
4. **Risk Assessment**: Vendor stability, lock-in, exit strategy
5. **References**: Talk to existing customers

## Anti-Patterns

- **Vendor Selection Without SLA**: Pick based on marketing. **Guard**: Require written SLAs with penalties.
- **Ignoring Lock-In**: "We're committed to vendor." **Guard**: Evaluate exit cost before committing.

## Further Reading

- _Vendor Evaluation Frameworks_