Open Discussion: Proposal Best Practices & Submitting an RFP
For some community consultants, participating in an RFP is familiar. For others, it’s completely new. Wherever you land on that spectrum of familiarity with RFPs, you will likely agree that the process can feel daunting.
A request for proposal, or RFP, is a document that an entity (typically a business or government) uses to announce a project and get bids or proposals from folks interested in completing the work.
An RFP typically outlines a project in detail, listing the eventual contract winner's various roles and responsibilities. This document will usually also include specifics about what should be included in each potential contractor’s proposal and if any additional documentation, licensing, or certifications are required.
Like any process of getting a new client as a community consultant, RFPs are a nuanced and unique experience. Each RFP is different, and each business/government/organization putting out an RFP will have its expectations and norms. While those expectations and norms should be spelled out in the RFP, it can feel like you are shooting in the dark as you craft your proposal.
Quick tips for responding to RFPs:
Pay attention to deadlines and the methods for submitting the required documents for the RFP.
If you have questions about any part of the RFP, do not hesitate to ask the contact person on the RFP. This doesn’t make you look bad; it makes you look thorough.
Ensure to include a short and sweet “About the Expert(s)” section for yourself and any subcontractors you will engage in the work.
Include a realistic proposed timeline, with the disclaimer that it is subject to change.
Attend any Q&A session the Requestor is hosting about the RFP, even if you do not have questions. You may think of some, and attending gets you familiar with their team.
Open Discussion: Proposal Best Practices & Submitting an RFP
Join us in our next general meeting on September 6th for an open discussion about submitting an RFP (request for proposal) and hear about the recent experience the CCC Advisory board will share.
The CCC Advisory Board recently had the opportunity to participate in a closed RFP round. While an NDA binds the team, we can share some parts of the experience. Join us in our next general meeting on September 6th (click here to register) to hear more about our experience, share your own experiences, and learn even more about best practices for submitting proposals on RFPs.
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