Process for determining an auction methodology

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said machine to perform a method for selecting an auction methodology for a buyer/supplier procurement process, said method comprising:

• determining an auction scope in a data processing system;
• determining an auction interaction in said data processing system;
• determining an auction control in said data processing system;
• determining an auction pricing in said data processing system;
• determining a set of auction closing rules in said data processing system;
• determining an auction iteration in said data processing system;
• and
• selecting an auction methodology based on at least one of said auction scope, said auction interaction, said auction control, said auction pricing, said auction closing rules, and said auction iteration.