RFP Template (free download)
If you’re ready to hire an architecture and engineering partner for your next project, it’s time to write a request for proposals (RFP), right?
Before you start, let’s take a step back. Decades of industry research show that a request for qualifications (RFQ) is a more cost-effective path to a successful project. The main difference between an RFQ and an RFP is that an RFQ does not ask proposers to submit a fee upfront. Instead, the RFQ process focuses on selecting the most qualified partner or partners, with fees negotiated later based on a more specific scope tailored to your needs. This approach leads to a better value.
Use an RFQ if:
You’re subject to the requirements of the Brooks Act (i.e., using federal funding to pay for all or part of your project) and must make a qualifications-based selection (QBS).
Your project is in one of the majority of states that require selection based on qualifications, per state statute.
You want to pre-qualify a group of potential design partners for a future decision.
You already understand the key attributes of the best partner and want to conduct a fair and equitable selection process. You can then discuss fees in a context customized to your exact needs.
Use an RFP if:
You’ve already reached some version of a qualifications-based shortlist and need to make a final choice, with your shortlisted candidates scoring nearly identical in your selection process.
You’re planning to make your selection based on the lowest fee, knowing that while you’re initially limited in funding, the total cost of your project will most likely be higher in the end.
Either way, a great RFQ or RFP is a crucial step toward a successful project. By asking for the right information, you’ll find a firm that strikes the best balance of experience, design prowess, project management methods, and overall value.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy start to a quality RFQ/P, check out our free templates! Or, if you’re looking for more in-depth guidance, start by reading our blog post, Secrets to Writing a Great RFP.
