From Risk to ROI: Elevating AI Procurement Through the Vendor Assessment Framework
By Pinal Shah, Senior Advisor, CAS Strategies
At CAS Strategies, we believe that trust and value go hand in hand. Responsible innovation isn’t just about reducing risk—it’s about unlocking performance, scalability, and confidence in the systems we adopt. That’s why we’re proud to support the Data & Trust Alliance (D&TA) in launching the AI Vendor Assessment Framework (VAF), a cross-industry guide that helps organizations evaluate third-party AI vendors on both risk and return.
A New Chapter for Responsible AI Procurement
As organizations rush to adopt generative and predictive AI tools, many are realizing that traditional procurement checklists fall short. The VAF bridges that gap by equipping buyers with structured, scenario-based questions that reveal how vendors approach privacy, security, fairness, performance, and integration.
Developed collaboratively with Alliance members across sectors, from financial services and healthcare to technology and manufacturing, the Framework reflects real-world deployment conditions and recognizes that many buyers may not possess the deep technical expertise needed to evaluate certain vendor responses. It translates complex AI governance principles into practical tools that help enterprises ask the right questions, evaluate vendor responses by focusing on business signals, spot red flags early, and make informed trade-offs.
How the Framework Works
The VAF is built on three simple ideas:
Start with context. Risk varies by use case and environment. The Framework helps buyers map their own risk profile before engaging a vendor.
Focus on strong signals. Each domain includes baseline questions with examples of what “good” looks like—helping buyers benchmark vendor maturity without requiring technical expertise.
Balance risk and value. Procurement isn’t just about compliance. The VAF integrates considerations of cost, scalability, and long-term alignment with business objectives.
Through this approach, the VAF transforms due diligence from a reactive exercise into a strategic advantage, enabling companies to accelerate responsible adoption while maintaining oversight.
A Model for Cross-Industry Collaboration
CAS Strategies served as both strategic advisor and partner in shaping this initiative, working closely with D&TA member companies to align diverse perspectives and operational realities. Together, we helped ensure that the VAF:
Bridges rigor and practicality, blending risk governance principles with real procurement workflows.
Reflects lived experience, incorporating insights from enterprise buyers, legal teams, and product leaders.
Models accountability, offering a roadmap that can evolve alongside regulation, innovation, and market maturity.
This work underscores what’s possible when industries collaborate on shared trust infrastructure—tools that are actionable today and adaptable for tomorrow.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the VAF marks an important step toward a more transparent, accountable AI ecosystem. But it’s also a beginning. As adoption grows, the Framework will continue to evolve through community feedback, benchmarking, and new research from D&TA’s peer networks.
At CAS Strategies, we remain committed to helping organizations operationalize trust at every stage of the AI lifecycle—from procurement to deployment. If your company is exploring how to assess, adopt, or scale AI responsibly, let’s work together to turn governance into growth.
Explore the AI Vendor Assessment Framework
