Need Help Responding to a RFP?

Six (6) valuable tips you can use when responding to a RFP.

As a Supplier, the more jobs you bid on the more likely you are to achieve an award. So, how do you get more RFP responses out the door quicker, easier, cheaper and less laboriously? By using ready made RFP response forms you can quickly edit and submit is one helpful option.  Beg or borrow one from a colleague or purchasing a template will help you get started. By using an existing template you can move to the edit stage versus starting with a blank canvas. Once you do find a template suitable for the required response take the time to brand it with your companies coordinates and by adding any additional desired verbiage. These templates will put you hours ahead of the competition and the extra time will permit you to work on the core of your presentation which is where the tender is typically won or lost.

Six (6) tips for improving your chances at succeeding or providing more winning responses to tenders:

  1. Say more with less. Do not over detail your responses. White space is not a bad thing. Use graphics, pictures to make your presentation more dynamic and quicker to peruse. A picture of a related past project is an acceptable component of your response.
  2. If the Buyer is asking for references, try to use a company you have completed work for and one which has an existing relationship with the Buyer that is requesting the reference.
  3. Provide detailed contact coordinates on your references – company name, contact person, title, address, phone, email so it is easier for them to make a convenient call to the right person and if possible use a testimonial from this company. Nothing provides more weight than a reference from a third party the Buyer is presently doing business with. The Buyer will feel comfortable calling this reference knowing they will get a straight up answer or the Vendor providing the reference might jeopardize their own existing relationship with this Buyer.
  4. Always answer or respond to RFP’s in a way that’s tailored to your customer’s specific needs. Respond in the order of the requests listed in the RFP or to match their needs. Prepare your responses thinking about the reader or from the buyers perspective. The Buyer may put your response in a compliance matrix so by following their format you are ensuring you do not get any strikes against you before the evaluation stage has even started.
  5. Answering to win—not just to answer.
  6. All key financial points in your response should be highlighted and framed to ensure they stand apart from the rest of the proposal. White space on either side of these key points is important.

Our edit friendly forms will help you create that winning look and professional feel that will help your quotes stand out. Starting from scratch trying to find the right words only works if you have countless hours of time you can dedicate to your response. If you can find a quality response at a reasonable cost why would you waste hours of your day creating a proposal. Let us help you eliminate tender bias and increase your chances of winning more bids by using one of our forms today = RFPTemplates.org >> RFQPro.com