Table Of Contents

We believe that providing readers with real-life examples is the best way of illustrating exemplary procedures. This book is based on the best RFP practices from more than sixty different jurisdictions.

Since the first edition in 1995, The Request For Proposals Handbook has become a valuable reference text in more than 3500 jurisdictions.

This new edition, published in May 2005, contains lots of new material. We've added information about risk management and how to build it into your RFP, and we provide some examples of best practices. We've added information about negotiating a contract and expanded the section on Best and Final Offers. We've added a major description of the duties and responsibilities of a Fairness Officer and examples of the related best practices. We've added information about critical documents (and examples of these documents) which will help ensure that your RFP process is fair and open and can survive public scrutiny.

Every chapter contains examples of best practices from state and local governments and their agencies.

CHAPTER 1 - Fundamental Issues

What is an RFP?
When is an RFP used?
How Much Effort is Warranted?
Advantages and Disadvantages
Other Procurement Options

CHAPTER 2 - Policy Issues
Part 1 – The Basics

Different Approaches
Definitions
What Is "policy"?
How Can Policies Differ?
What Is an Effective Policy?
Implementing Policy

Part 2 – Getting it Right

State of Alaska
State Procurement Code
Alaska Procurement Regulations
Administrative Manual
Policies and Procedures Manual
Request for Proposal Shell
St. Johns River Water Management District (FL)
District Policy 88-05
Administrative Directive 88-06
Procurement Manual
Yukon Government
Contracting Regulations
Yukon Government Contracting Directive

CHAPTER 3 - The RFP Process
Part 1 – The Basics

Elements of Success
Best Practices: Examples of the RFP Process
Designing Your RFP Process
Typical Timing

Part 2 – Getting it Right

People Issues
Professional Procurement
Important Lessons
Changing the RFP Process
Using a Fairness Officer

CHAPTER 4 - The RFP Document
Part 1 - The Basics

How Much Information?
What goes in an RFP Document?
Best Practices: Two Excellent RFPs

Part 2 - Getting it right

Problem-Solving Features of RFP Documents
Best Practices: Document Guidelines & Templates

 

CHAPTER 5 - Best Practices: RFP Manuals

New Mexico
New York
Federal Transit Administration
Massachusetts
Montana

CHAPTER 6 - Dealing With Suppliers

How to Identify Suppliers
Some Important Numbers
When can a Contract be Awarded Without an RFP?
Common Concerns

CHAPTER 7 - The Evaluation Process
Part 1 – The Basics

The Need for an Evaluation Process
An Explanation of Best Value
The Methodology Used
The Evaluation Committee
The Steps in an Evaluation
Best Practices: Examples of Actual Evaluation Procedures

Part 2– Getting it Right

When Bad Things Happen to Good Evaluations
Best Practices: A Trail of Great Documents Intimidates their Lawyers

CHAPTER 8 – The Building Block of the Evaluation Process

The Nine Building Blocks
Establishing Compliance
Scoring the Proposals
Imposing Upset Levels
Evaluating the Cost
Developing a Short List
Interviewing Suppliers
Negotiating
Requesting Best and Final Offers
Checking References

Chapter 9 - Ending the Process

Confirming the Winner
Finalizing the Contract
Releasing the Results
Dealing with the Losers
Completing the RFP File

CHAPTER 10 - Supplier Complaints and Protests

Discourage Supplier Protests
Provide an Effective Dispute Resolution Mechanism

 

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