This document presents 10 tips for creating an effective Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at gathering comprehensive vendor responses. Key recommendations include providing clear structure, including essential information on pricing and terms, and inviting vendors for presentations to better understand their offerings. Additionally, it offers guidance on organizing documents and ensuring vendors acknowledge all changes to the RFP.

1. 10 TIPS
TO BUILD AN
A+ RFP
Jodi Anderson, Director of School Communications, TMS
tuitionmanagementsystems.com

2. This guide will help you build
an efficient document that
gets all the right questions
answered, the first time
around!
BUILDING AN
RFP CAN BE
HARD WORK

3. 03
1. Creating an
Informative
Cover Page
Let's Get
Started

4. School Name
RFP Title and Due Date
Question due date
Contact Information
Mailing/Submission Information
Pre-bid meeting information if applicable
Include

5. 2. Facts & Figures
Providing these
upfront eliminates
guessing and
questions

6. 3. Scope it Out
Provide a Scope of Work.
This helps keep vendors focused and provides them
with a guide for the overall response.
State your: Goals, Objections and the Problems to
solve

7. 4. Get it Your Way! Provide an Outline

9. In addition to asking for a long-
form response, provide a yes/no
answer matrix for simplicity in
reviewing.
(The long form- or full written
response- gives you the details
you need.)
The Long and Short of it

10. 6. Pricing
Ask for pricing in a separate document. This keeps things
simple and helps provide a competitive review
Get costs to the institution and costs to the payers
(families) listed separately
Inquire about any potential revenue
opportunities

11. 7. FORMS,
ATTACHMENTS
AND ADDENDA

12. Forms
Keep all forms in one section of
your RFP
Provide a checklist for the
vendor
Remember to provide electronic
copies if requesting an electronic
submission

13. Attachments
Instruct vendors to label
attachments clearly and reference
them in the applicable response
within the RFP

14. Addenda
Require vendors to acknowledge all addenda with a
signature, to be returned with the RFP

15. 8. Seal the Deal with
Terms & Conditions
Ensure they are well written and crystal clear
(using a legal counsel is advised)
Require all exceptions to be clearly denoted by the vendor
(in an exceptions document, transmittal letter or other
specified location in the RFP)

16. 9. The Bonus Round
Does the vendor offer any other products/services that
would complement the current solicited services?
Use this space to ask for additional information.

17. 10. Invite Vendors in for a presentation
See the product live, meet the team and get clarification
Your Invited

18. Download a Free
RFP Template
Let us help you get started.
Click below to download a free RFP
template