While you have been juggling new products and watching the excitement in other parts of the company, you have been approached by a large vendor who sells equipment which you need. The vendor has agreed to give G$-$BioSport approximately $$5,000$ worth of equipment to $$try out.$$ In addition the vendor wants to fly the Vice President of Operations and Research and two of the top team members to Las Vegas to demonstrate the equipment at a trade show. The vendor will pay for airplane tickets, hotel accommodations and get members of the Operations and Research Team passes into the trade show. You know that the vendor has a good reputation in the community but the equipment is a bit pricey. The protocols from accounting require that you put all purchases out for competitive bid. You also know that the subtly spoken expectation is that this vendor will have a preferred status when the bid for equipment is put out, which is expected in the next six months.