What Is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?

RFP Definition: An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is a document used by businesses to describe a project they want to start and invites contractors to submit bids to do the work. Companies and governments often use RFPs to source contractors for their projects.

The quest for the perfect venue, caterer, entertainment, and other elements to pull off a seamless event often starts with three little letters – RFP. Short for “request for proposal,” RFPs are pivotal for event planners in securing the best partners for their events. But what exactly is an RFP, and how can you create an effective one?

This guide cuts through the jargon to give you a straightforward understanding of RFPs – the process, purpose, and how to write one.

What Is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?

An RFP is a detailed document that outlines an event's full scope and requirements. The main purpose of an RFP is to solicit proposals from potential vendors or suppliers to provide a product, service, or solution. 

An RFP allows organizations to communicate their project needs and requirements so vendors can respond with solutions and pricing. For event planners, crafting an effective RFP is critical for securing the best venues and vendors. 

Writing an RFP effectively has three major benefits:

1. It encourages numerous venue bids, providing options to compare capabilities and pricing. This saves time compared to independent research.
2. It promotes clarity on exact event specifications so venues can submit targeted proposals covering critical details like room capacities, catering, A/V, etc. Studies show that crafting RFPs helps non-profits and government agencies ensure transparency. 
3. It streamlines the evaluation process, as all information is in one place, easing the assessment of each venue's response and strengths.

How to Write an Effective RFP

Writing an effective RFP involves a clear and structured approach to ensure you attract the right vendors and receive proposals that align with your project needs. Here's a breakdown of the steps to follow:

Define Your Event, Scope, and Budget

Event Specifics: Clearly outline the type of event (conference, wedding, corporate retreat, etc.), the expected number of attendees, and the overall vision for the event.

Scope and Budget: Detail the scale of the event and your financial limits. Include potential flexibility or strict budget constraints.

Provide Background and Introductory Information

Event History: If it’s a recurring event, provide a brief history and past successes or challenges.

Company or Client Information: Give an overview of the company or client hosting the event to provide context.

Contact Information: Essential for open communication lines for clarifications.

Describe the Services You’re Looking For

Service Specifics: List services needed, such as venue sourcing, catering, logistics, entertainment, audio/visual support, decoration, and guest management. For instance, for a corporate event, write, "Seeking a full-service planner experienced in large-scale corporate events, with strong vendor connections for AV and catering."

Explain Any Challenges or Barriers to Success

Logistical Challenges: Detail any known logistical issues like location constraints, attendee accessibility, or specific guest needs.

Vendor Coordination: Highlight any complexities in coordinating multiple vendors or stakeholders.

Detail Your Selection Criteria

Expertise Required: Emphasize experience in event types, scale, and specific services like technology integration or guest handling.

Portfolio and References: Request a portfolio of past events and references from previous clients.

Team Composition: Understand the team working on your event and their roles.

Specify Your Event’s Timeline

Critical Dates: Provide key dates, including the event date(s), planning milestones, and deadlines for proposal submissions. For example, “Proposals for annual conference planning due by January 15th; event scheduled for August 20-22.”

Proofread Your RFP and Go Live

Accuracy is Crucial: Ensure all event details, dates, and contact information are correct.

Publication: Once finalized, distribute the RFP through appropriate channels like event planning directories and industry groups.

4 Tips for Writing an Effective RFP 

There are several key actions that you can take to increase the likelihood of a vendor responding to your RFP. Here are some tips to help you optimize your RFPs to achieve a high response rate from vendors:

1. Provide Open Lines of Communication

You'll likely see a higher response rate if you establish open communication lines with vendors during bidding. Why? Providing access to a point of contact – or establishing a schedule for conference calls or in-person meetings – can show that your company is invested in the vendor response process.

Purposefully ask your prospective vendors to seek clarification. Encourage them to ask questions about the RFP and the project itself. The more they understand your needs, the better their proposals will be, and the easier it will be for you to make an informed decision.

2. Don’t Skimp on Project Details, But Keep It Brief

Vendors are less likely to respond to RFPs if the project details are insufficient or unclear. If you don’t provide detailed instructions and requirements for your project, vendors may interpret the project scope differently, causing them to submit proposals that do not specifically address your needs.

Conversely, vendors are more likely to respond to RFPs that provide well-defined project goals and timelines, allowing them to evaluate their abilities better and provide informed proposals.

That said, you want to keep your information as scannable as possible. Take advantage of formatting options such as bullet points and headings. A vendor is likely flipping through many RFPs in a day, so you want them to get the information they need after a brief scan of your document.

3. Establish a Competitive Budget and Ample Deadline

Vendors are more likely to be interested in responding to your RFP if they feel that their pricing is competitive and that your deadline and timeline are reasonable for the project’s specifications.

On the other hand, vendors may hesitate to send you a proposal if there is a short deadline or if the timeline is particularly compressed. This could indicate that your company is not allowing vendors enough time to research and submit accurate proposals.

4. Research Your Target Vendor’s Industry and Marketplace

Have you ever bought a piece of software that you know nothing about? It’s the same when considering proposals submitted to your RFPs.

Researching the vendor marketplace beforehand can help you develop more realistic budgets, timelines, and goals. Create highly specific selection criteria and better identify which vendors will most likely meet your budget and time constraints.

With insufficient knowledge about the market, you could accidentally underestimate the resources required for your project or set unrealistic timelines and expectations. This miscommunication can misguide vendors, leading them to either submit a proposal that is not a good fit or entirely opt out of bidding.

RFP Template for Event Planners 

Here is an example RFP template event planners can use for venue sourcing:

Overview

[Provide 2-3 sentences briefly introducing your company and your planned event. Specify event name, date, and estimated number of attendees.]

Event Details and Requirements

Event type: [e.g., conference, gala dinner, product launch, etc.]

Event date and time: [Date and time range including setup and takedown]

Location: [City, state, venue preferences, if any]

Expected number of attendees: [Number of guests]

Event elements required:

Venue space for [main event, breakouts, reception, etc.]

Catering [breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, cocktails, etc.]

A/V equipment [list requirements]

Stage, lighting, decor

Accommodations for out-of-town attendees

Transportation

Security personnel

Registration/check-in capabilities

WiFi capabilities

Parking

Load in/load out access

Green room space

Dressing rooms

[Any other specific requirements]

Timeline

RFP distribution: [Date]

Proposal due date: [Date]

Selection date: [Date]

Event date: [Date]

RFP Evaluation Criteria

We will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

Venue capacity and layout to accommodate event needs

Quality of catering and menu options

Experience hosting similar events

Competitive pricing and value

Availability of required A/V equipment and capabilities

Flexibility and responsiveness during planning

The success of past events hosted 

Venue location convenience

Proposal Format

Please include the following in your proposal:

Overview of your experience hosting similar events

Details on how you can meet the requirements outlined

Proposed venue layouts and floor plans

Menus and catering packages with pricing

A/V equipment available and pricing

Itemized budget breakdown

Photos/details of previous events hosted

Key personnel bios

Client references

Any additional information relevant to the event

Please submit all proposals to [email address] by [due date]. We appreciate your time and look forward to reviewing your proposal.

RFP Process for Event Planners

In event planning, the RFP process is vital to ensure the best possible outcome for your event. Here’s how you can effectively navigate these steps:

1. Establish Evaluation Criteria

First, define what you value most in a vendor – their pricing structure, expertise, past work, or client feedback. Setting these criteria beforehand streamlines the process by attracting proposals that align closely with your event's needs. This preparation also aids in effectively ranking and comparing vendors based on your specific preferences.

2. Draft the RFP

Crafting a detailed RFP is crucial as it reflects the professionalism and clarity of your event planning requirements. Begin by outlining the essential needs of the event, including project specifics, scope, and deadlines. Ensure the RFP is comprehensive, anticipating potential questions from bidders. Collaborate with key stakeholders to incorporate diverse insights, addressing potential challenges and desired outcomes, thus minimizing future obstacles.

3. Refine Your RFP

The refinement of your RFP is crucial. Vendors might overlook your request if the information is ambiguous or poorly presented. Utilize editing tools to enhance clarity and readability, ensuring that the RFP accurately conveys your requirements. This step is equally essential for vendors – meticulously revise and proofread your proposal. Often, the winning bid is not just competitively priced but also the most well-articulated and polished.

Differentiating RFP, RFQ, and RFI

A Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), and Request for Information (RFI) are three unique types of solicitations used by businesses and organizations to engage with potential suppliers or contractors.

Request for Proposal (RFP): This is used to announce a specific project and seek contractors who can execute the project. The RFP details the project requirements and asks for comprehensive proposals on how these would be met.

Request for Quote (RFQ): This document is sent to various suppliers, requesting bids for a contract to provide certain products or services. An RFQ outlines the required quality, quantity, and timeframe for delivery that the company or organization needs.

Request for Information (RFI): An RFI is a request sent to suppliers asking for written details about their products and services. This is often used to create a database of potential suppliers for future reference or to collect information in the preliminary stages of a project.

Each document serves a specific purpose in the procurement process, so knowing the difference between them is critical.

Navigating the RFP Management Process

Once you've crafted a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) specific to your project, the next step is to engage in the bidding process. This involves more than waiting for proposals to come in; getting those bids rolling in takes a bit of legwork.

First off, think about who should receive your RFP. You need to reach out to the right businesses. If you’re unsure where to start, find out where others in your industry are sending their RFPs. You might consult with similar organizations to see where they solicited proposals or leverage venue sourcing platforms and vendor marketplace listings to search for businesses and publicize your RFP.

After submitting the RFP, the focus shifts to handling the responses. This can be daunting, especially if you receive a high volume of bids. The key is organization and using your predetermined criteria to sift through the proposals.

For instance, if your budget is critical and you receive a bid far exceeding your financial limit while others are within range, you can confidently set aside the higher-priced proposal. This process of elimination based on your essential criteria helps in effective RFP management and streamlines the selection process.

Ready to Master Your RFP Process?

Mastering the RFP process is essential for event planners seeking to create exceptional events. Each step is pivotal, from drafting detailed proposals to strategically managing bids. Equip yourself with these insights (and a few key tools), and you'll be well on your way to orchestrating memorable, seamlessly executed events that exceed expectations.