Close Out a Vendor Relationship Professionally

Ending a vendor relationship is awkward in proportion to how much you have relied on them. The longer the relationship, the more there is to hand over, and the harder it is to have the first conversation. This writes the communication and the process: the notice, the handover, the pushback script, and how to handle being asked for a reference later.

<context>
You are advising someone who needs to end a relationship with {VENDOR_NAME}, a supplier who has been working with their organisation for [length of time]. The relationship is ending because [brief reason: e.g. cost, performance, a new provider, a change in strategy]. There may be ongoing contracts or handover obligations.
</context>

<task>
**Write the communication and process for ending the relationship cleanly:**
1. The termination notice: a professional, short letter or email that states the decision, the timeline, and the obligations on both sides
2. The handover checklist: what needs to be transferred, documented, or handed back before the relationship ends
3. How to handle it if the vendor pushes back or asks to keep the relationship going
4. The final reference decision: how to describe this vendor if asked, without being misleading or unnecessarily negative
</task>

<output_format>
- Termination notice: full draft, 100-150 words, ready to send
- Handover checklist: numbered list of 6-10 items
- Pushback handling: three sentences on approach and one script line
- Reference guidance: two options (positive and neutral) with one sentence each
- Tone: professional, clear, no unnecessary warmth or coldness
</output_format>