Competition is a contest between businesses that are striving for the client’s business. Organisations in business are usually in competition with others for customers, markets, materials and, of course, contracts. Most procurement governance schemes value competition between suppliers as a means of securing value. Many markets are not ‘free and open’ as there are barriers to entry or market distortions such as monopoly, and because market offerings are not homogenous. Similarly, the practice of inviting three quotes, bids, offers or tenders may not harness the available competition. See also Market Structures.