Request for Information (RFI)
Here at Ameli, we help our clients respond to all types of procurements, from an initial Request for Information (RFI) all the way to the final Request for Proposal (RFP). Many times, people outside of our profession ask, “Why is an RFI/RFP procurement released? Why not just buy the goods or services needed directly?”
Procurements, including RFPs, RFIs, and other types, are critical to governments and commercial entities alike. A great analogy is to think about a person that owns their own home. For example, if they need to replace their roof, that could easily be upwards of $10,000 or more. With that kind of expense, it would be important to obtain multiple quotes from various companies to ensure they not only get the best, most competitive price but also the highest quality roofing materials available from an experienced company that knows the business and can get the job done properly and in a timely fashion.
Importance of RFI in Decision Making
As the expense for a roof – or any given service or product climbs – the need to find the most competitive price becomes increasingly important. In addition, it is even more critical to ensure the goods or services purchased are made of the most modern, highest quality materials and/or aligns to best practices in the industry to ensure the service or product sought is implemented correctly by an experienced, reputable company. In these cases, it is in the buyer’s best interest to seek out multiple quotes/proposal responses from as many companies (sellers) as possible so that the best, most informed decision can be made that will meet the government or commercial entity’s needs for the long haul.
When federal, state, and local government agencies as well as commercial companies need to make these large purchases for services or products, they want to make an informed decision just like someone would in needing a new roof. To obtain multiple bids, government agencies and commercial entities alike will often initially release a Request for Information (RFI) to sort out exactly what they truly need against the latest options in the market. This initial exercise is simply seeking out information from potential bidders, with typically no pricing requested at this stage. In reviewing the RFI responses, the buyer (government agency or commercial entity that released the procurement) will be able to sort out the Scope of Work (SOW) of what they need and want along with all final requirements. This analysis will then help inform the final Request for Proposal (RFP) released.
Efficient RFI Response Services: Navigating Procurements with Ameli
At Ameli, we assist our clients across a wide range of industries to respond to these procurements (RFIs and RFPs) as released. From the initial review of the procurement, including all response requirements and associated deadlines, to templating, writing, editing, and publishing the final response. We can also manage the end-to-end response effort, coordinating across Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), developing storyboards and win themes, facilitating meetings and final reviews, scheduling, and more.
Since an RFI is an initial stage where the government entity or commercial business is seeking out information only to gain a better understanding of their options in the market, there is no ability to “win” at this stage. To win, a subsequent RFP would need to be released and then awarded. Even though you cannot win an RFI, it is still critically important to respond to this type of procurement! This ensures before the final RFP is released that the buyer has been made aware of your company, experience, staff expertise, products/services offered, capabilities, differentiators from your competitors, and more. In addition to your other business development, sales, and capture efforts, responding to the RFI will help to increase your future chances to ultimately WIN.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us at Ameli today!
We can help you respond to RFI/RFP procurements as released + enhance and ameliorate your proposal responses to a new, tailored level! Let our experts do the work for you as we stay focused on our mission to Winning You More Business!