How to Request a Proposal
A request for a proposal, or RFP, is an invitation to suppliers and contractors to submit a proposal for a particular project. Many fields use requests for a proposal. The fields include construction, architecture, graphic designers, writers, nonprofit organizations and really any field that may need outside help in order to get a particular job done. Request for proposal documents are usually similar in nature and serve to explain the project fully to the suppliers while also having each contractor specifically detail how they will go about the particular project, including the cost. Each section of the request for proposal should be labeled accordingly.
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Instructions
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Provide an overview of the business issue or goals that you need to accomplish through this particular project. Keep it brief and summarize why the particular project is needed in one to two paragraphs. This section is usually labeled as Overview or Project Goals.
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Describe the services that are needed in the Description of Products and Services section. Tell the suppliers and contractors exactly what you are looking for so that they are able to explain why they are the right people to be awarded the project.
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Define the objectives of the project in the Objectives section. Explain in a detailed manner the exact end result that you are looking for.
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Provide a detailed description of the project itself. This section, usually labeled Project Details, may be quite lengthy, as you want to give the contractors who are bidding on the project a clear understanding of what they will need to do.
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Layout any milestones that are expected of the contractors. Describe any and all phases to the project, when each phase is expected to be completed and the specific components that each phase includes. Label this section as Milestones.
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Explain what is needed in the Resources section, such as the resources that will be provided to the contractor by your company, including all equipment, personnel, research and documentation. Also lay out the resources that the contractor will be expected to provide.
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Describe the method of evaluation, in the Performance Metrics section, that you will use to determine the quality of each milestone along with the project in its entirety upon completion.
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Explain how the suppliers and contractors should detail their projected costs of the project, in the Cost section.
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Include clear contact and due date information, labeled as such.
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References
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