RFPeed OFF
One of the commented upon blogs we have posted this year is the one we published on the frustration many suppliers feel when they are in receipt of client RFPs (see page 187). Comments came from suppliers in agreement of the sentiment and many buyers about the bias in the writing Bit of a Marmite blog to be fair.
That said, it certainly created debate. Frankly that is what the blog is about. Below is the second part of this blog. Batten down the hatches.
One of the irritants for suppliers in most RFPs is how the process inherently gives the client control of the process; the choice of online portal, the preconditions suppliers must agree to in order to take part, the timelines, and so on.
Here is some text a supplier might consider using to redress the balance, to be sent to the client at the point in the process they ask the supplier if they intend to participate in the RFP. Suppliers might want to modify some of the language!
(CLIENT NAME)/ (SUPPLIER NAME) RFP RESPONSE AGREEMENT
Client has issued an RFP to a number of Suppliers. Before giving access to the Brief, Client requires Suppliers to advise if they will be responding. This Supplier advises that they will respond if Client agrees to the following terms:
BRIEF
Client agrees to focus the Brief on the following issues:
Supplier will ignore any suggestions in the brief about duration or methodology, on the basis that Client has asked for Supplier’s expertise on this subject, which is the point of the exercise.
PREDISPOSITION
Client agrees to identify any RFP where they have already decided which Supplier they intend to use. Suppliers may then decide whether to respond on one or more of the following grounds:
1. They are the Supplier already selected by the