What is a request for proposal for procurement?

Designed to solicit bids from qualified vendors, a request for proposal (RFP) is a procurement document that announces and describes a project or purchase request.

Nearly all government agencies and many private companies use RFPs in their procurement process. This important document describes the scope of a project or details what the organization wants to buy. They can be open to any company that qualifies or sent by invitation only to a select set of firms.

Essential elements of a request for proposal.

Buyers and contractors like to use a request for proposal because it eliminates the guesswork from the procurement process. RFPs include everything a potential supplier or subcontractor needs to know to create a fair and accurate proposal. Even so, there are a few key elements that you should always consider because they can make or break your bid.

Below is a list of some critical things to watch for in an RFP:

• Bid date: Your proposal will be due on a specified day and time. Being even one minute late can disqualify your bid.
• Itemized pricing: Many RFPs require that you show more than a total price. You may be asked to show a separate price for each element of your bid.
• Required experience: RFPs often ask for some past experience in a similar job.
• Project duration: How long you will have to complete the project or deliver the goods is an important part of an RFP.
• Damages: Some RFPs include a penalization fee that the successful bidder will be subject to if they do not meet the completion date.

In business today, nearly all Requests for Proposals allow companies to respond electronically. If you decide to do so, make sure to use a secure e-signature tool that can help ensure your bid is accepted. Take a moment to discover more about what’s possible with Acrobat Sign today.