Time to Issue an RFP!

Happy Friday,

Consulting engineers are very, very busy. It's past time to stop "bidding" for work. Time to issue an RFP instead. Here’s a template you can use, that borrows some wonderful ideas from public agency RFP’s.

Request for Proposals

XLNT Engineering, a premier consulting firm, is inviting qualified public agencies to submit their projects for XLNT's consideration.

Submission Requirements

1. Agency Qualifications (50 pages maximum)
   • Detailed history of the agency, including all past names and reorganizations
   • Comprehensive list of all projects > $10,000 completed in the last 25 years
   • Audited financial statements for the past 10 years
   • List of all litigation involving the agency in the past 30 years
2. Project Description and Economic Benefit (100 pages maximum)
   • Detailed description of proposed project and intended public benefit
3. Financial Information
   • Proposed budget with line-item detail accurate to the cent
   • Consultant payment record: Average days between receipt of invoice and payment. If more than 2 working days, provide explanation.
   • Include board resolution committing to pay invoices within 2 working days
   • Proof of funds for 150% of the proposed budget
4. Staff and Decision Making
   • Detailed project organization chart with CV's for project team, including board members
   • Decision hierarchy with explanation of how project decisions are made
5. Submission Format
   • 17 hard copies, single-sided, printed on archival-quality paper; font: Times New Roman, 11 pt; line spacing: 1.15; margins: 1 inch on all sides; page numbers must be centered at the bottom of each page; each section must start on a new page; a table of contents with page numbers is required; all graphics must be in vector format
   • 1 digital copy in an obsolete file format of your choosing
   • 1 copy engraved on a stainless-steel plaque
6. References
   • At least 10 consultant references for projects of similar size and complexity  

Selection Process

1. Initial Review: Our team will spend no more than 7 minutes reviewing and ranking each proposal.
2. Presentation and Interview: The top ten proposers will be invited to make a 2-hour presentation followed by a 1-hour interview.
3. The selection will be based on 'comfort level', i.e., the agency and team we feel is qualified, personable, easy to work with, and importantly, likely to make our team and firm look good.

XLNT Engineering reserves the right to reject any and all proposals for any reason or no reason at all. Proposals not received by the due date and time will not be accepted. Submission of a proposal constitutes acceptance of all contract terms and conditions included with this RFP. Any request for modification will result in immediate disqualification. By submitting a proposal, agency agrees to waive all rights to sleep, weekends, and personal time until project completion.

We look forward to your submissions. 😄

Have a great weekend,

Dave

Feedback and blowback are welcome: dave@goodnewsfriday.com

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