Typical rfp questions

2. What is an RFP? What is its purpose? Who prepares/issues the RFP?

An RFP is defined as a “customer issued solicitation to attract interested contractors to develop and submit proposed solutions” (InformationTechnology Project Management, Seventh Edition pg.12). The purpose of an RFP is to get the specific requirements for the project. The RFP is typically prepared by the customer.

3. Identify and describe the components/sections that should be included in a typical RFP.

When creating an RFP the sections that should be included are the statement of work, customer requirements, required deliverables, details about all items supplied by the customer, contract, payment terms, required schedule for completion, format requirement for contractor proposals and proposals due dates.

4. What is an RFQ? How is it different from and RFP?

An RFQ is defined as a “Customer issued solicitation for contractor/vendor to supply specific products or services” (InformationTechnology Project Management, Seventh Edition pg.65). An RFP is also a customer solicitation, but instead of looking for products and services vendors want proposed solutions.

5. What is the response to an RFP? What is its purpose? Who prepares/submits the response?

The response to an RFP is a proposal. The purpose of a proposal is to persuade the client that your organization or company is their best option for completing this project. The contractors prepare and submit proposals to the clients.

6. Identify and describe the components/sections that should be included in a typical response to an RFP.

The sections of a typical proposal are known as the technical, management and costs sections. In the technical section the project’s anticipated problems should be explained and a proposed solution must be given. In the management section a detailed description of all work tasks, deliverables, project schedule, project organization and all equipment and facilities needed to complete the project must be presented. For the cost section a detail description about the cost of all a labor, materials, subcontractors and consultants, equipment and facilities rental, travel, documentation must be delivered.