Training: Step Into a Vendor's Shoes: Activity Kit for Paper Airplane RFP

Writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) can feel daunting. As you face an upcoming need for goods or services, you may be tempted to fall back on a previously issued version of an RFP, simply mimic what a peer city or state has done, or renew an existing contract - even though you know you could probably find a better-performing vendor. But an RFP is the foundation for achieving strategic goals and improving outcomes for residents through contracting, and such an opportunity shouldn't be wasted. This template, which pairs with our RFP Template, provides a model for a response workbook that accompanies an RFP document. Using a response workbook can be a valuable tool to help proposers have a structured way to submit their proposal to your government and can make evaluation of proposals far easier. You'll also find sample questions in this template that you can ask of proposers in your RFP.

Writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) can feel daunting. As you face an upcoming need for goods or services, you may be tempted to fall back on a previously issued version of an RFP, simply mimic what a peer city or state has done, or renew an existing contract - even though you know you could probably find a better-performing vendor. But an RFP is the foundation for achieving strategic goals and improving outcomes for residents through contracting, and such an opportunity shouldn't be wasted. This results-driven RFP template will help you craft an inviting RFP that attracts quality proposals from vendors.

The resources contained in this guidebook will help public sector organizations leverage procurement to improve the outcomes of government-funded programs and services, including by writing results-driven requests for proposals (RFPs) and by better managing the RFP development process. Through the eight modules, procurement professionals can walk through the RFP process step by step, from early planning through managing a contract. Each of the modules contains best practices for that specific topic area and examples from other jurisdictions as well as discussion questions and planning prompts.