Response dynamics - The evaluation of answers to your RFP questions

Part one is a brief review of the questions and the specificity of information that should be a part of the technique in writing your RFP. Unless you ask the questions that will allow you to judge the respondent with professional know-how, you cannot expect the vendor to provide the detailed answers that will separate those in the running from the also rans. Part two will detail the basis of evaluation for the following items: Product quality Service agreements Upgrades Training Vendor cooperation At the end of the program the audience will be able to set priorities according to the importance of each element to the information center learn how to develop an evaluation scale learn how to word a question to get a precise answer learn how to qualify your vendors even before the RFP is sent out learn what contract features can be negotiated Although the evaluation criteria in this paper is written specifically for the purchase of software, the basic principals can be applied to any type of goods or services where your judgment is essential to the approval of the vendor.