Outsourcing Vendor Red Flag #1: Copy-And-Paste Bids & Cookie-Cutter Contracts

No two clinical programs are alike, and the unique attributes of your program deserve a thoughtful, tailored approach. Yet anyone who has been in the industry long enough has noticed that CRO contracts seem to all look the same. A generic contract that is not set up to handle the nuances and challenges of your specific program can result in a barrage of unexpected upcharges or delays. Customizing the contract can help protect the trial's budget and will mitigate the risk of burning through program funds on unnecessary expenses.

Not all groups that provide clinical research services are CROs. Often, the phrase “CRO” conjures up ideas of a model that is inefficient, expensive, and inflexible. Even the smallest, nimblest CROs can still suffer some of those constraints.

Look outside your expectation of what a CRO can be: find different sized companies, research functional service provider collectives, etc. See what they do similarly and where they differ and use that information to enhance your understanding and execution of your trial. Additionally, especially for organizations fielding multiple bids, it is critical to ensure the bids contain “apples-to-apples” comparisons so your organization can make a balanced and informed decision.