| Session Title: Responding to Insufficient RFPs |
| Skill-Building Workshop 394 to be held in San Simeon A on Thursday, Nov 3, 1:35 PM to 2:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Independent Consulting TIG and the Graduate Student and New Evaluator TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Nakia James, Western Michigan University, nakia.s.james@wmich.edu |
| Abstract: It is often necessary for Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) to formulate a Request for Proposal to procure essential services in fulfillment to their grant obligations. This is most common when seeking the services of an external evaluator. Since most NPOs do not have an internal evaluation staff, developing an appropriate RFP can be quite challenging. This may lead to the first obstacle encountered by both the NPO and the potential consultant. Many NPOs are unaware of how to appropriately include key components in the RFP. The quality of the bidder's response is highly dependent on the quality of the RFP. Accordingly, it is imperative that we strive to better understand the RFP process, from its conception to fulfillment. The experience of potential consultants will also be quite useful in further understanding how RFPs are developed, and how to appropriately address and respond to any inadequacies in the RFPs. |