Request for Proposal
when a company is interested in using your services or buying a commodity or asset from you, you will typically be presented with a Request for Proposal (RFP).[1] This document, as its name suggests, is used to solicit a proposal from you, often through a bidding process.
Formal requests for proposals identify the goods or services requested, describe the qualifications sought in a provider, and establish a plan and procedure for selection. Have you received a Request for Proposal? It’s important that you respond promptly and effectively.
We recommend making the following considerations for your response.
Read the instructions carefully.
When responding to an RFP, the most important thing to do is to read the instructions carefully.[2] Doing so, you may discover that the burden of performing or the price range requested make winning the gig not worth the trouble. Only submit proposals when the return on investment would be good for you and your business.
Stay on schedule.
Take note of important dates and times. Pay particular attention to the date and time of any public meeting and to the deadline. Showing up late does not look good and late proposals are often rejected automatically.
Attend the public meeting if at all possible.
It is always a good idea to attend the public meeting and to bring any key employees with you. Your employees can provide input and help you digest the information provided. You may learn valuable information from the entity’s representative or from the questions and comments of your competitors. It might be the only opportunity to communicate directly with the requesting entity, since government entities requesting proposals often impose a “cone of silence” to prevent corruption or improper influence.
Create and submit a clear, professional proposal.
Once you have gathered all of the necessary information, be sure to write the content of your proposal clearly and, when possible, design it to be aesthetically pleasing. No matter the field of the product or services you provide, it is important to present yourself in the most professional way possible so the company will know you take your work seriously.
Who can help me with this process?
It is a good idea to hire experienced, professional help to guide you through this process. At J. Muir & Associates, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process of responding to a Request for Proposal in a professional, appropriate, and effective way. Call us at (786) 533-1100 to get started.
Miami Business Lawyer here in J.Muir and Associates is the best lawyer in Miami FL.