A Good RFP Can Save You A Lot Of Problems
When you are starting up a new project and are looking for companies to handle the fulfillment, you need to make sure you have everything ready to go. You should detail everything the job requires so that your contractors can submit a relevant and organized bid. This will make sure you get a clear bit that won't result in hidden costs and missed deadlines.
An RFP is the perfect way to bring all the different facets of the project into sync and reduce your costs and keep everything on track. In order to make this happen though, you have to send out a detailed request for proposal.
The first thing you need to do is organize the details of your particular job. The more information you can give your prospective contractors, the more information they can provide to you in their bid. In your RFP, or request for proposal, you need to make sure that you include your own contact information. While this may seem obvious, many companies have been left wondering what went wrong because they left that crucial piece of information out. Your contractors can't submit a bid if they don't know where to send it.
The next step is to specify the method for submitting the bid. This is sometimes used as a way to filter out applicants that can't follow simple directions. Then, you have to give a detailed explanation about what the contractor will be expected to do. They need all this information to tailor their bids to your needs. The RFP should also include a definite timeline so the company will know how fast they have to accomplish the work.
When you have a particular job that needs to be done, you can also request specific information about the bidding companies themselves. This will help you eliminate any companies that don't have all the proper professional or trade licenses. When you send an RFP it is a good time to request the history and background information of all the companies you are considering.
Finally, you should have each bidder include at least a few references, and you should be ready to check them out. Prior associates can provide a lot of valuable information into the strengths and weaknesses of each potential contractor.
Many companies will make the mistake of producing a vague RFP. They will always wind up wondering why they get such poor quality bids. Contractors can't guess at what you really want. You have to be clear with your RFP and then they can determine what timeline and budged they can reasonably reach.
In the end, the best thing you can do to ensure the success of your projects is to take the time to create a clear, well thought out RFP and follow up on the company's references and history.
An RFP is the perfect way to bring all the different facets of the project into sync and reduce your costs and keep everything on track. In order to make this happen though, you have to send out a detailed request for proposal.
The first thing you need to do is organize the details of your particular job. The more information you can give your prospective contractors, the more information they can provide to you in their bid. In your RFP, or request for proposal, you need to make sure that you include your own contact information. While this may seem obvious, many companies have been left wondering what went wrong because they left that crucial piece of information out. Your contractors can't submit a bid if they don't know where to send it.
The next step is to specify the method for submitting the bid. This is sometimes used as a way to filter out applicants that can't follow simple directions. Then, you have to give a detailed explanation about what the contractor will be expected to do. They need all this information to tailor their bids to your needs. The RFP should also include a definite timeline so the company will know how fast they have to accomplish the work.
When you have a particular job that needs to be done, you can also request specific information about the bidding companies themselves. This will help you eliminate any companies that don't have all the proper professional or trade licenses. When you send an RFP it is a good time to request the history and background information of all the companies you are considering.
Finally, you should have each bidder include at least a few references, and you should be ready to check them out. Prior associates can provide a lot of valuable information into the strengths and weaknesses of each potential contractor.
Many companies will make the mistake of producing a vague RFP. They will always wind up wondering why they get such poor quality bids. Contractors can't guess at what you really want. You have to be clear with your RFP and then they can determine what timeline and budged they can reasonably reach.
In the end, the best thing you can do to ensure the success of your projects is to take the time to create a clear, well thought out RFP and follow up on the company's references and history.
About the Author:
Many contractors want the chance to submit an RFP to the government and increase their business. Search the web for details on writing a request for proposal and increase your chances of being chosen.
