[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-244411-105":53,"doc-detail-244411-en":130},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":123,"head_meta":125,"extra_data":127,"updated_unix":129},105,"en","developing-a-request-for-proposal-tips-definitions-use-preparation-and-evaluation","Developing a Request for Proposal - Tips, Definitions, Use, Preparation, and Evaluation","","A practical guide to developing a well-written request for proposal (RFP) that strengthens county-vendor relationships and supports effective procurement. It clarifies key terms by contrasting RFP, RFI, RFQ, and bids, then explains when RFPs are appropriate and how benefits arise from standardized comparison and stated evaluation criteria. It also provides writing tips, essential sections such as purpose, specifications, and evaluation criteria, and methods to improve vendor proposal quality through details and pre-proposal conferences.",{"@graph":63,"@context":122},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/developing-a-request-for-proposal-tips-definitions-use-preparation-and-evaluation/244411/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/developing-a-request-for-proposal-tips-definitions-use-preparation-and-evaluation/244411.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"\tJames","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-22","2026-09-12",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":8},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114,118],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What is the difference between an RFP, an RFI, an RFQ, and a bid?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"An RFP invites vendors to submit proposals and can be formal and binding, describing needed goods/services and possibly requesting solutions. An RFI is non-binding and used to gather information and gauge vendor interest. An RFQ is an informal quotation process often used for low-dollar purchases. A bid is formal and binding to obtain pricing for a specific period with complete specifications and conditions.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"When should a county use a request for proposal instead of focusing only on price and delivery?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"An RFP is generally used when additional factors beyond price and delivery matter in procurement, such as successful experience, material and labor costs, and the ability to schedule and coordinate work with minimal disruption.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What core sections should be included in an RFP?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"Typical sections include purpose/general information (contact person and submission instructions), specifications (performance criteria, work, qualifications, scheduling, delivery, and related items), and evaluation criteria (how each criterion is weighted and how specifications map to criteria).",{"name":119,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":120},"How can a county improve the quality of vendor proposals?",{"text":121,"@type":109},"Provide enough detailed information so vendors can respond accurately, especially by clearly defining scope and boundaries. Also consider inviting vendors to a pre-proposal or start-up conference to ensure RFP requirements are understood and potential problems are identified early.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":124,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":56},244411,1790072693,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":8,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":79,"language":139,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":143,"read_time":73},2336474466412,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_155a257f0dc6eb9ab79c44ca47cae57d","Developing a Request for Proposal  \nUpdated by Sarah Sunderman, Research Assistant/December 2009  \nDeveloping a well-written request for proposal can be a daunting task. It takes time, careful thought, and planning. However, a well-written RFP can help form the foundation of a successful relationship with a vendor and provide important goods and services to your county.  \nImportant Definitions to Know  \nTo start, it is important to explain the difference between a request for proposal, a request for information, a request for quotation, and a bid.  \n● A request for proposal (RFP) is a solicitation inviting proposals from vendors who believe they can provide the products and/or services your county needs. It is also a formal and binding document. A RFP describes the products and/or services needed, but can also ask vendors to propose a solution to one of the county’s needs.  \n● A request for information or a request for interest (RFI) is a non-binding document that is issued when a county is considering the acquisition of a particular service or product. The purpose of a RFI is to solicit information and/or to determine the level of vendor interest in providing a service or product.  \n● A request for quotation (RFQ) is the most informal of the three types of requests. This kind of quotation is typically used for low-dollar purchases. A verbal price quotation, telephone  \nquote, or faxed quotes are three examples of a RFQ.  \n● A bid is a formal, binding document used to obtain pricing from vendors fora specific period of time. It contains complete specifications of the goods or services requested by the county. A bid also includes payment terms, delivery requirements, and other conditions that define the scope of the purchase. Bids are used to establish contracts for the county for products or services or for one-time purchases of high-dollar items (usually over $1,000) .  \nBenefits of using a RFP  \n● Common format allows for easy comparison of proposals.  \n● Establishes a level playing field by specifying the evaluation to be used and incorporates by reference other contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement.  \nRFPs: Use, Preparation, and Evaluation  \nA RFP is generally used when other factors in addition to price and delivery are important in the procurement. If  \nResearch Brief  \nA Publication of the Research Division of NACo’s County Services Department  \nyour county is installing a county-wide fiber optic network, successful experience installing a fiber optic network, the cost of materials and labor, and the ability to schedule and coordinate the installation with minimum disruption to county operations are all important factors.  \nTips for writing a RFP  \n● Before you begin writing your RFP, obtain examples of RFPs for similar products/services from neighboring counties or from other departments within your county. These examples may give you ideas of things to include. They can also alert you to things you may want to avoid.  \n● Include enough information in your RFP so that the vendor has a good idea of the product/result you expect.  \n● Limit the amount of space vendors can use to respond to your RFP. Limiting space forces vendors to respond to the RFP in a concise and exact manner.  \nRFPs can take many different forms depending upon the county, department, and the purpose. However, there are some basics that all RFPs should contain.  \nPurpose/General Information  \nThe first section usually identifies the purpose of the RFP, the name of the person in the county to contact for further information, and specific instructions for submitting proposals, such as the number of copies required for submission. This section can also contain a timetable of dates relevant to proposal submission and the project.  \nSpecifications  \nThe specification section is one of the more important sections of the RFP because the quality of the specifications will determine the quality of the proposal and the quality of the fi","cbCaib1wXKNEKCP2","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaib1wXKNEKCP2","pdf",221252,"English","# Important Definitions to Know\n## Request for Proposal (RFP)\n## Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Interest (RFI)\n## Request for Quotation (RFQ)\n## Bid\n# Benefits of using a RFP\n# RFPs: Use, Preparation, and Evaluation\n## Tips for writing a RFP\n## Purpose/General Information\n## Specifications\n## Evaluation Criteria\n# How to Improve the Quality of Vendor Proposals","[{\"question\":\"What is the difference between an RFP, an RFI, an RFQ, and a bid?\",\"answer\":\"An RFP invites vendors to submit proposals and can be formal and binding, describing needed goods/services and possibly requesting solutions. An RFI is non-binding and used to gather information and gauge vendor interest. An RFQ is an informal quotation process often used for low-dollar purchases. A bid is formal and binding to obtain pricing for a specific period with complete specifications and conditions.\"},{\"question\":\"When should a county use a request for proposal instead of focusing only on price and delivery?\",\"answer\":\"An RFP is generally used when additional factors beyond price and delivery matter in procurement, such as successful experience, material and labor costs, and the ability to schedule and coordinate work with minimal disruption.\"},{\"question\":\"What core sections should be included in an RFP?\",\"answer\":\"Typical sections include purpose/general information (contact person and submission instructions), specifications (performance criteria, work, qualifications, scheduling, delivery, and related items), and evaluation criteria (how each criterion is weighted and how specifications map to criteria).\"},{\"question\":\"How can a county improve the quality of vendor proposals?\",\"answer\":\"Provide enough detailed information so vendors can respond accurately, especially by clearly defining scope and boundaries. Also consider inviting vendors to a pre-proposal or start-up conference to ensure RFP requirements are understood and potential problems are identified early.\"}]","Developing a Request for Proposal - Tips, Definitions, Use, Preparation, and Evaluation | PDF",1789217003]