Wednesday, November 02, 2011

The RFP

"You've requested a proposal. Is this a real request?"

"Certainly."

"So there is a specific project that you need done in the near future?"

"Well, no. We don't really have anything that needs to be done now, but we'd like to know who could meet our needs if we happen to have a project in the future. Not that we're saying that we'll have one."

"But you're not simply asking if firms are qualified and have specific experience. That could be handled in a letter. Your RFP is requesting a sizable amount of information for a job that does not exist and may not exist. The result is you are going to have a lot of firms submitting lengthy proposals for a project which none of them may get."

"True, but we have to follow our procedures."

"Do you know if the people who designed those procedures ever ran a business? I'm wondering if they realize the amount of time that can be consumed by the sort of detailed proposal you've requested."

"I'll have to get back with you on that."

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