Week 5 Assignment
Write 2 to 3 pages
Given a sample RFP template, you will play the role of an outside consultant for the Medical Center of DeVry to evaluate the RFP to determine whether all essential parts of the RFP are present, then identify the strengths and weaknesses found in the document, and how the document can be improved. Next, you will prepare a professional report that outlines the steps to be taken in the RFP process with a summary of your findings in the sample report. The sample RFP template is located in Files. The RFP may include several items not requested in your assignment. The details for this assignment are provided in the Course Project for Week 5 in Introduction & Resources.
Written Assignment: Request for Proposal (RFP)
Given a sample RFP template, you will play the role of an outside consultant for the Medical Center of DeVry to evaluate the RFP to determine whether all essential parts of the RFP are present, then identify the strengths and weaknesses found in the document and how the document can be improved. Next, you will prepare a professional report that outlines the steps to be taken in the RFP process with a summary of your findings in the sample report. The sample RFP template is located in Files. The RFP may include several items not requested in your assignment.
- Part A: Evaluation of RFP to determine whether all essential parts of present (20 points)
- Part B: Identification of strengths and weaknesses (20 points)
- Part C: Professional report and summary of findings (20 points)
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The Request for Proposal (RFP) is a critical document that outlines the requirements of a project and the vendor selection process. As a consultant for the Medical Center of DeVry, we will evaluate a sample RFP template to determine its effectiveness in achieving its purpose. The evaluation will focus on the presence of essential parts of the RFP and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, a professional report outlining the necessary steps in the RFP process and a summary of the report’s findings will be prepared.
Part A: Evaluation of RFP to Determine Whether All Essential Parts are Present (20 points)
The RFP should include several essential parts, including an executive summary, a detailed project description, a scope of work, timeline, budget, and evaluation criteria. An essential part of the RFP is to provide a clear understanding of the requirements of the project. This requirement is lacking in the sample RFP template. The document needs to provide better clarity on the scope of the project, such as specific goals the project is trying to achieve, and the expected outcome. Another aspect that needs improvement relates to the timeline, which needs a clear start and end date, including intermediate milestones.
Part B: Identification of Strengths and Weaknesses (20 points)
The strengths of the RFP include a clear and concise evaluation criteria, which will help in selecting the right vendor. Additionally, the RFP mentions the contract terms and conditions, including payment details and expectations of vendor performance.
The weaknesses of the RFP include the lack of a clear definition of the project scope, timeline, and goals. It would be beneficial to provide a detailed milestone and deadlines to ensure that there is no confusion among the participating vendors.
Part C: Professional Report and Summary of Findings (20 points)
To ensure a successful RFP process, the following steps need to be taken;
1. Define project deliverables and project goals.
2. Define project scope and timeline.
3. Identify evaluation criteria.
4. Prepare a high-level project budget.
5. Prepare the RFP document.
6. Identify all potential vendors.
7. Launch the RFP and notify the vendors to provide proposals.
8. Evaluate the vendor proposals and shortlist finalists.
9. Interview the finalists and select the vendor.
10. Sign the contract with the selected vendor.
In summary, the sample RFP template has clear strengths and weaknesses. The document lacks clarity on the essential project requirements such as the scope and timeline. However, it provides a clear evaluation criteria and contract terms and conditions. By following the above-defined steps, the Medical Center of DeVry can successfully manage the RFP process and select the right vendor for the project.
