For an Effective IT RFP Process
The RFP Lab is where I help you develop an effective Request for Proposal (Request for Quote) document to submit to candidate providers who remain on your short-list after a winnowing process. We start with a project-specific RFP template, and together we fill in the blanks. Negotiation leverage begins with a good RFP process.
Getting competent (busy) technology vendors and consultants to respond to RFPs has become somewhat of a challenge in recent years. However, a carefully prepared RFP document, together with a modern approach to the technology RFP process itself, will interest most vendors and consultants and facilitate their convenient preparation of maximally relevant responses.
Remember, even if you are fairly certain you want to use a particular vendor or consultant for your project, it is still wise to use a competitive bidding process to select a (that) vendor. Experience has shown that the best way to obtain favorable pricing and terms and conditions from a technology provider is through competitive bidding.
In many cases, we'll want to attach appropriate standard forms of agreement (e.g., a Software License Agreement and a CSA) to your RFP and ask providers to accept their terms as part of your RFP process. You can then base base your technology provider selection on a vendor's willingness or unwillingness to accept your balanced terms and conditions. You'll also save time and money by reducing your negotiations burden.
Clients of the firm are welcome to access the RFP Lab on their own to search available RFI templates. If you are a current client, you can log into Client Services now.
Not sure you want to become a client of the firm just now? Then you can toddle over to The Technology Buyer's Advocate for some good IT RFP resources.
