Association of Proposal Management Professionals

RFP Development and Vendor Search Consulting


Phase 1: RFP Planning & Preparation

  • Define criteria for work and type of vendor you're seeking
  • Establish internal Review and Selection Committee
  • Determine schedule for all three phases of project
  • Write RFP, present, edit, create final version
  • Develop weighted scoring system

Phase 2: Vendor Search Process

  • Identify vendors conforming to criteria from existing public information
  • Review vendor information and capabilities and select initial candidate pool (no more than 15 vendors)
  • Contact vendors to determine if they can participate in the pitch (have the necessary time, no conflicts of interest, etc)
  • Send RFPs to pre-screened vendors
  • Evaluate proposals using weighted RFP scoring system
  • Inform winning and losing vendors; invite finalists (no more than 4-5) to present to your company

Phase 3: Presentation Process and Selection

  • Develop criteria for presentations and provide vendors with instructions
  • Establish scoring system for presentations
  • Determine schedule and length of presentations (often 1.5 hours for presentation, .5 hour for Q & A)
  • Evaluate vendors based on weighted presentation scoring system, as well as company/vendor chemistry and other factors
  • Perform necessary due diligence (reference checks, financial stability, etc)
  • Inform winning and losing vendors, as well as press if applicable