Request for Proposal: A Guide to Effective RFP Development

When done right, RFPs enable businesses and government agencies to fairly evaluate competing proposals while reviewing the broadest possible range of potential solutions. All too often, however, RFPs fail to meet these goals, because their creators simply don't understand how to create them effectively. In this book, the world's leading RFP consultant offers realistic, specific, start-to-finish guidance for every professional called upon to write RFPs. Bud Porter-Roth covers every step of the RFP process, offering specific language examples that demonstrate both best practices and worst practices to avoid. He shows how to ensure that RFPs contain information that is sufficiently accurate and detailed; how to ensure clarity of presentation, structure, and organization that encourages productive responses; and how to avoid the most common pitfalls of the RFP process. The book includes detailed coverage of writing each section of the typical RFP, including administrative, technical, management, pricing, and evaluation sections; as well as extensive practical guidance on planning and preparation. Appendices present complete RFP examples, preparation instructions, analysis tools, calendars, and other resources for jumpstarting RFP development.

Bud Porter-Roth is a technology consultant who specializes in helping clients develop and write effective RFPs, evaluate vendor proposals, and implement joint projects. As a result of hisreal-world expertise, Mr. Porter-Roth frequently writes and lectures on RFPs. He is also the author of Proposal Development: How to Respond and Win the Bid (PSI Research-Oasis Press, 1998).