Developing and Managing Requests for Proposals in the Public Sector

Public procurement officials control 38.5% of the United States Gross Domestic Product through annual acquisition of $4.85 trillion in goods and services. This text has been developed by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing to provide a bridge between those who operate within the public sector and academia as a fist step toward identifying the body of knowledge associated with public procurement. Developing and Managing Requests for Proposals in the Public Sector thoroughly examines the basic knowledge and skills needed by those who choose competitive sealed bidding as the best and most appropriate form for a given solicitation. Understanding the essential elements of a well structured RFP is the first step to ensuring that the agency obtains the best solution at the best value, while minimizing potential agency exposure to contested awards and contract disputes. Through the RFP process, public agencies obtain innovative solutions from private sector resources that meet the unique needs of government agencies and their communities. As governments continue to rely on the support of private sector resources and field experts, mastering RFP solicitations is a critical skill required of every public procurement professional.