lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

[rbh]

So, still bang my head against the wall trying to put together a proposal and I have only 2 pieces of info.
I do not fully understand what they want (no terms and conditions) , but have a good idea, it seems to me they are fishing to see who can put together the best proposal.

Is this a "BLIND" proposal, and something any of you have ever dealt with? and is there a template that could assist me.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

I can't speak to your specific industry, but I engage on the requesting end of RFPs, RFQs and RFIs, mostly from technology/application vendors. If unsure about the scope and worried about being held to unseen or withheld factors, then document all the assumptions at a detailed level such that violation of the assumptions provide the necessary wiggle room or even invalidation of the proposal..

In fact the assumptions can be a useful tool in refining what the requestor wants. They often don't know how to put it in words or are awkward with the RFQ/RFP process.

 

[rbh]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

The issue I have is this is not a project, but a maintenance contract.
24/7/365, crew is always on call to fix an outage.
remote area, 14 on, 14 off, fly in and out, must overlap crew by at least 1 day due to possible bad weather/travel issues.

That is what I am starting with to CMA/CYA.

 

[rbh]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

In a bidding situation you need to put a sharp pencil to it and figure out what it takes for YOU to make a buck, not what the completion is doing. Bottom line, pricing yourself below the "make a buck point" is a waste of time and will bankrupt anyone. I see far too many small companies make the mistake of cutting their own throats to "win" a bid when they should have walked away.

I never loose money on a bid! I would rather my vehicles and manpower sat than loose money.

What I have an issue with is proposals like this, the variables that are out of my control, so most of the time my proposals are way out in left field (overly complicate the proposal by not leaving anthing to chance) compared to my compitition.

 

[rbh]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

Then you are just going to have to find a way to nail them down on what they want. Maybe some face time will help.

So here is what I am going to do, the guy I am dealing with seems to be the P-eng/consultant for the project, I will send him a pre proposal and see what sticks and what doesn't.

And then I will put the grammer cap on and see if I can make it make sense.

 

[LongLine]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

How about:
"I can do ABC&D for $S"
or
"I can do WXY&Z for $T"

or can you itemize it? something like:
I can do A for $K; B for $L; C for $M; D for $N. Meaning give them a menu and let them pick what they want.

Tom B.
(LongLine)
Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[southkogs]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

... another consideration:

In my industry (or at least my end of it), I have an estimated 20% waste on output and a very low possibility of a second output (in other words we screwed up the first and had to re-do it). So, my estimates are built around a 20% waste and re-producing about 10% of the project. Experience (and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I can calculate) becomes the teacher to know what types of projects I think are going outside of those numbers.

When you look at the contract, add your experience (that good ole' gut feelin') to help determine how likely the scope of work/cost/time/etc. is to be at a certain level or amount.

 

[rbh]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

Thanks, I usually add 10% and that always seems to work, otherwise it becomes an extra.(above and beyond the scope of the project)
This time it is 99% straight labour, misc connectors etc.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

Take the basics of their request, quote that as the core of your proposal. Other things that they might be fishing for should be quoted as alternates. As previously said, sort of creating a menu. When I build a quote or proposal, I always include a qualification letter stating what I provided for and exclude in my proposal. Don't worry about the other guys, be clear about what you're providing.
I've been on the bidding side and the requesting side for many years and a vague proposal is the kiss of death both for you and the client.
It's OK to exclude certain elements that may be impossible to safely quote do to unknown conditions or supply but be up front about it and define your concerns and reasons. These issues can be negotiated later when they are clarified, but acknowledge them so that assumptions are not made for their provision.

 

[rbh]

Re: lack of proper RFQ and or RFP

Thanks, I sent them off a "pre" proposal inquiry last week as to how I envisioned that the project/contract would be carried out.
I then got a call from the person in charge who wanted to go through the numbers, I am begining to think that this projects scope may be a little more than they bugeted for, or they need to find local talent.