United Dental Alliance (UDA) utilizes a consistent process when negotiating agreements that is designed to promote fairness, accountability and transparency at all stages.

Information gathered is shared with the UDA Member Advisory Groups that provide direction on behalf of all Members. It is these groups that will make the final contract award decision.

It is understood that participation is voluntary and Suppliers are welcome to ask questions at any point. Requests made of any one Supplier during the discovery process will be asked of all other respondents. If a non-response is provided, this position will be relayed to the Advisory Groups and will be evaluated comparatively with responses received from other potential business partners.

The UDA will use the following tools/steps to evaluate business partners:

Request for Information (RFI) – UDA may or may not choose to utilize a process tool called an RFI. This is a document that will be released to pre-determined providers to assess their readiness and capability to provide goods and services to our members. This will take the form of a written document with customized questions that are the same for all respondents. Participation is voluntary but a no-response may eliminate a potential business partner from the next stage.

Request for Proposal (RFP) – UDA will use in most cases a process called a Request for Proposal. An RFP is a document with specific questions that will be released to pre-determined providers allowing each one to respond with the business arrangement they would like to propose to do business with the members of UDA. This may include elements such as, but not limited to: Products/services provided, Delivery Terms, Purchase Requirements, Payment Terms, Member Pricing.

Participation is voluntary but a no-response will eliminate a potential business partner from final consideration of a contract award.

Advisory Group Review – Responses received from all potential business partners will be analyzed for completeness and reviewed with UDA Member Advisory Groups. Outcomes from this review may result in more information gathering or UDA receiving direction to contact selected business partners to negotiate the terms of a business agreement.

Contract Negotiation – UDA, at the direction of our Member Advisory Groups, will negotiate a business agreement that provides best value for Members. With the successful conclusion of this process, the selected business partner will be introduced to the general Membership along with the terms of the business agreement.

If you would like more information regarding this process please contact us.

Our Mission

To review all products purchased on a regular basis to ensure that our members are being provided a quality product in the most cost effective manner by inviting all appropriate suppliers to respond in a formal solicitation process while establishing long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships with all participants.