Description
This one-day course examines the legal risks and project strategies with RFPs. It covers how to set up realistic and useful mandatory requirements and evaluation criteria, how to avoid conflicts of interest and manage contract award. It also explains when to use a tender, an RFP or a Request for Qualification. Case studies on RFP strategies for outsourcing, contract negotiations, and best value contracting are reviewed.
Topics
- Competitive contracting law
- Duties of the RFP organization
- Procurement project strategies for success
- Setting up mandatory requirements and evaluation criteria
- Managing contract award
- Avoiding personal and corporate liability
- Preference, bias and conflict of interest
- Evaluation and contract award
- Copyright and confidentiality
Learning Objectives
- Identify legal duties and obligations of the organization inviting competition
- Understand the different solicitation processes and when an RFP is the right tool for the job
- Demonstrate how to set up clear and meaningful mandatory requirements and evaluation criteria
- Use sound planning techniques to realize and address critical risk areas in RFPs
- Identify the steps in moving to final contract award and what discussions and negotiations can take place with the frontrunner in finalizing contract terms
- Learn how to conduct a debriefing with unsuccessful proponents and anticipate what information should and shouldn’t be released
Expected Outcomes
Participants will learn effective strategies to maximize value for their organization from an RFP process. They will understand how to plan procurement projects for the best results and manage risks and changes to the process as they occur. Attendees will also develop skills in using prequalification tools, drafting requirements, setting evaluation criteria and negotiating the final contract as anticipated in the solicitation document.
Learning Methods
Pre-reading, lecture and PowerPoint presentation, facilitated discussions, case study examples, group exercises and scenario-based learning.
Complimentary Courses
- Introduction to Competitive Contracting for Buyers
- Managing and Evaluating Contract Performance
- How to Negotiate and Resolve Contract Disputes
