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Home > Technical
Writings > Digital
Talking Books, Planning for the Future > Appendix II - Overview of Contracting
NLS Technical Writings
Digital Talking Books, Planning for the Future
July 1998
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Appendix II: The Contracting Process
- Plan
- Statement of Work
- Purchase Request
- Commerce Business Daily Synopsis
- Solicitation (RFP)
- Technical Evaluation (if any)
- Price/Cost Analysis
- Negotiations (if any)
- Award
- Contract Administration
- Modifications
- Completion OR Termination (convenience or default)
Request for Proposals Development
- Conduct initial research on the contracting needs and requirements of the
agency.
- Designate the principal writer or establish a writing team for the Statement
of Work.
- Write the scope of work to be covered by the contract; review budgets and
costs.
- Obtain and complete the applicable clearance forms and documents for the
new contract.
- Identify the type of contract most suitable for the agency's needs and requirements.
- Establish internal panels and procedures for reviewing the Statement of
Work.
- Develop a plan for evaluating the proposals received; establish a proposal
evaluation panel.
- Formulate criteria for evaluating the technical proposals received.
- Develop a list of qualified vendors or offerors to whom the RFP should be
distributed.
- Prepare a detailed outline for each major section of the Statement of Work.
- Write a draft version of the entire Statement of Work.
- Present the draft version of the work statement for internal agency reviews.
- Write the final version of the Statement of Work, incorporating reviewers'
recommendations.
- Announce the availability of the RFP via a synopsis in Commerce Business
Daily.
- Distribute the RFP to organizations on the "source list" and to
others requesting a copy.
- Set up a "reading room" (background documents); convene a preproposal,
"bidders" conference.
- Deadline for submitting proposals; begin the evaluation of technical proposals.
- Schedule oral presentations by offerors; begin technical negotiations.
- Award the contract.
- Begin monitoring the contractual project.
Credit: RFP Planners Guide, RFP, Inc.
Key Technical Components of Requests for Proposals
- Table of Contents. Reveals how the technical content of the RFP is organized.
- Background Statement. Describes the evolution of, and rationale for, the
agency's requirements and needs.
- Scope of Work. Delimits the types of work and services covered by the RFP.
- Description of Tasks. Explains what the contractor will be required to do.
- Deliverable Items. Describes or defines the items to be provided by the
contractor.
- Delivery/Completion Schedule. Sets dates for the completion of tasks or
the delivery of items.
- Performance Criteria. Refers to or defines the criteria for inspecting,
testing, accepting, rejecting, etc. the contractor's work.
- Contract Monitoring. Presents the means to be used to monitor the progress
and quality of the work.
- Personnel Requirements. Specifies the qualifications and types of skills
required for the work; estimates levels of effort.
- Government-Furnished Assistance. Identifies the property, services, equipment,
facilities, etc. to be made available to the contractor.
- Attachments and Appendixes. Provides supporting documentation that helps
offerors understand the government's requirements and needs.
- Evaluation Criteria. Presents the factors and criteria for evaluating the
merits of proposals submitted by offerors.
Credit: RFP Planner's Guide, RFP, Inc.
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prologue planning NISO activity
planning 20
steps 9
tasks consumer
involvement
bibliography appendix
i: details in implementation appendix
ii: overview of contracting approach
Posted on 2006-05-30