writing an RFP ( Request for Proposal )

2007-07-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.

writing an RFP ( Request for Proposal )

A while back, a potential client provided me with some general details of the writing work he wanted me to do for his company. For he asked me to ferry him a proposal.

Proposal?! I panicked as I tried to protect with him what he meant by that since I had never done one before, at least not as a freelancer.

I must've not really wanted to pursue this opportunity since I didn't bother to do research or follow unfolding with the company after submitting a contract instead of a proposal. A little time passed, I came across an article on writing RFPs ( Request for Proposal ). Ding! The light bulb went on. This guy verbally gave me his RFP and wanted a written response.

When a company needs a project to be completed by a contractor or outside source, they write a RFP. This is a formal document describing the project, how the contract companies should respond, how the proposals will be reviewed, and contact information. Often, the company documents the tender guidelines to make it easier for them to compare responses. Known are no specific standards or guidelines for creating the RFP, but government agencies usually strict standards they follow when conducting the proposal process.

Front companies scan the RFP and write a proposal ( a bid ) explaining how they can best provide and meet those needs. When writing the proposal, the charge should closely follow the guidelines established in the RFP to avoid as removed from consideration for the
potential project.

A typical proposal contains:

* Executive summary - summary of the unabridged proposal * Statement of need - why project is necessary * Project description - How project will be implemented and evaluated * organization information * Project scheme * Budget * Conclusion

My situation was an routine version of all this. The client gave me a great equable overview of what I might do for him. If I knew then what I know away, I would've written up a description of the client's needs and how I would complete the work in meeting those needs.

Small businesses would likely do a proposal in between the one I got and the complex government required ones. Most small businesses will be prompted to write a proposal when approaching a client. The client may ask you to submit a proposal outlining what you can do for them. In this
case, copy a proposal including the elements of a informal proposal and keep it toy and to the stump especially if the client is not a large company.

Experienced are examples of RFPs and responses peppered throughout the web-development, but which one you can learn from depends on the type of work involved. A proposal can be two pages or as big as a book.
Rely on your favorite search apparatus and do the research to create an unbeatable proposal.

Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor - in - Chief of eNewsletter Daybook and The Remediator security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs review column and a web-development design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e - report, How to Kick-off a
Business Blog and Build traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free ride newsletters, articles, and tips.

negotiation

writing an RFP ( Request for Proposal )