RFP
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- gramme
So I received RFPs for two separate projects, but I can't tell if this is a proposal they want, or if an unpaid pitch (spec work) is part of the deal. I was thinking it was merely a request for a written proposal, i.e. a schedule and bid, but then I saw this:
"Criteria for Award of Contract
[client] will most heavily weigh the following considerations in awarding its website contract:
1. Ability to complete the project in the time allotted
2. Overall professional and attractive look of the site
3. Overall ease of navigation
4. Accessibility of staff to elements of the site requiring timely updates
5. Adherence to the [client]'s request for applications, functions, and intellectual property rights
6. Affordability of the project"Criteria 2–5 are what's throwing me for a loop. It sounds like spec work, which I don't do unless it's paid. Anyone else have experience with this? This is the first time someone's sent me a written RFP. I'd just like to avoid making stupid mistakes, i.e. over- or under-shooting in my proposal.
- baseline_shift0
does it say anything about presenting concepts or roughs elsewhere in the request? Those dont sound to me like they should necessarily be done before the award of contract.
- ideaist0
"unpaid pitch (spec work)" / it's a trap!
- gramme0
baseline, that's why I was confused. It doesn't say anything about presenting concepts or roughs in any other place.
"Proposal Guidelines and Requirements
Proposals will be accepted via e-mail and all mail courier services. Proposals must be time-stamped or postmarked by 11:59 PM ET Monday, November 30, 2009.
Proposals costs must be all-inclusive.
Proposals must be submitted by a duly authorized officer of your business.
Any anticipated fees or charges above and beyond the design, development and implementation of the website, including proposed hosting costs, must be outlined and include a detailed description.
Any anticipated sub-contractor work must be detailed in your proposal. Details must include the name, contact information, and EIN of your sub-contractors. Proposals will not necessarily be denied based on the use of sub-contractors, but [client] retains the right to refuse any individual sub-contractors."
- noneck0
Tough to tell for certain without reading the whole RFP. Don't assume that the person writing the RFP knows what they're doing; usually they don't. When in doubt, ask.
It kinda sounds like they want spec work (especially 2 + 3), but it could be that they expect you to sell them on a solution in your proposal.
But seriously, ask.
- baseline_shift0
I would send them your quote without any spec work, as you normally do. If they want spec, you would have refused anyhow, so its not the end of the world if you dont get the contract.
- or would you be willing to do 'concepts' for the request?baseline_shift
- NotByHand0
Hehehehehe... I thought it said RPF there for a sec.
- NotByHand0
RPF™ / Random Personal Fact
—
My wife is of Dutch descent
- iheartfun0
Ive never come across an RFP that asked you to "mock up" something for them. Usually they ask to see examples of stuff that you have done in the form of a pitch book with your estimated pricing for the project....
- Mimio0
We get asked for mock-ups all the time in RFP's. Usually one screen is sufficient.
- gramme0
Hmm. My sense of self-respect tells me not to do spec work, but my bank account says it might be worthwhile.
- Mimio0
Look at it this way. There's time spent in addressing the requirements of the RFP in your proposal that you can't really recoup either. Besides it's not really spec work if it's not a final(deployable) deliverable.
- duckofrubber0
If you think it's worthwhile, then give it a shot. Don't over-extend yourself on the design part, however; hard-sell your capabilities to them, not the comp.
- Oh and send them a link to one of the many "gramme is awesome' threads here. That might help.duckofrubber
- HAHAHAgramme
- Mimio0
You have to careful in general. Some RFP's are put out there to feel out the industry for software and hardware recommendations too. Which amount to free consulting advice basically.
- gramme0
Yeah that makes sense Mimio. It gets stickier though. I think one of these two RFPs includes a new logo for the organization. I can't tell if that would be up to me, or if someone else has recently designed the logo. I'm asking the client these questions right now, so we'll see.
- johndiggity0
kind of a red flag with the sub-contractor refusal clause. it could be that this client has burned bridges in the past or is generally difficult and fickle. i'm not sure you could legally disclose their tax payer id either, unless they are dba an llc.
make sure you fully vet this client before you proceed. if it doesn't feel like a good fit, then don't do it.
- gramme0
1. No, there is no spec work involved—they believe asking people to do hard work for free is unethical. Samples of previous work are just fine.
2. The logo is not part of the proposal. It's currently in the finishing stages via a crowd-sourcing site. They're almost done selecting a winning logo and will send me the results shortly.
.
$50 to the guy or girl who can spot the contradiction.
- really!? crowd-sourcing!?Mimio
- walk away.johndiggity
- AHHHhahahahah. This is what they said?baseline_shift
- Yep. I couldn't make this shit up.gramme
- to do hard work for free is unethical = crowd-sourcing
mind = blownjimbojones - oh and 50 bucks, sweetjimbojones
- iheartfun0
Run
- Mimio0
Yeah, something tells me that whatever number you arrive at in your proposal will be too much.
- noneck0
^ Agreed. Ask for what you want to do it. No less.