A company typically procures highly specialized services from local vendors. During planning for a regulatory project, the project manager learns local vendors cannot operate due to a major unexpected event, and foreign vendors are an option. What should the project manager do?

The project manager should plan to execute the procurement tasks in a virtual environment. This is the most practical and immediate solution to continue the project despite the local vendor unavailability. By leveraging virtual tools and platforms, the project can still engage with foreign vendors, conduct negotiations, and manage contracts remotely, thus maintaining project momentum. Reviewing OPAs for similar projects might offer some insights but doesn't directly solve the immediate procurement challenge. Submitting a change request to extend the project duration is premature; the project manager should first attempt to find a solution to the procurement issue before assuming a delay is necessary. Requesting the sponsor to place the project on hold is an extreme measure that should only be considered if all other options have been exhausted and the project cannot proceed.