Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish by sending out an RFP.  According to TechTarget, it’s likely one of three reasons:

1. You’re trying to get a better bid from your preferred provider.
2. It’s company protocol.
3. You’re trying to get ideas so you can solve the problem in house.

If that sounds like you, an RFP might not be your best way forward. If you’re just trying to get a better bid, go with a request for quotation (RFQ) instead. 

RFPs are typically formal and time intensive. Only use this option when you’re open to vendors suggestion on how to solve your problem.

If you’re just looking to see what’s available but you’re not certain you want to make a purchase, consider sending a brief request for information (RFI).

If you do issue an RFP, keep it short. (Use multiple rounds, if necessary.) And ask the deal-breaker questions upfront, so you can quickly narrow down your options, saving both you and your vendors a whole lot of time.

Avoid reinventing the wheel writing your RFP by first doing a quick Google search for “RFP for X service” or “RFP for X software.”  

It’s surprising what you can find when you search for specific RFPs. (Like this great RFP template list, for example. It includes RFP templates for everything from accounting software to business intelligence software, to ERP for construction.)

Seeing how other organizations have handled similar RFPs gives you a great place to start, and can also expose holes in your own search criteria.

If you’re new to writing RFPs and you want a high-level overview, check out this podcast. You’ll get a breakdown of the basics and lessons learned the hard way from Procurement Expert Phil Ideson and former Vendor Selection Consultant and RFP360 Co-Founder and COO, Dave Hulsen.

A quick Google search revealed the following helpful tips specifically related to healthcare IT RFPs (though, they probably apply to most RFPs).

“Secure upper management buy-in and funding … funding for technology often goes beyond the initial purchase. Depending on the model, you may have annual subscription fees after the initial implementation and setup. Or there could be maintenance and upgrade fees you need to consider down the line. Knowing fee structures and cost components during the RFP process can be a jumping off point for setting budgets for an organization.”  — 5 Keys to a Successful Healthcare IT RFP  [Emphasis added.]

“Give yourself enough runway from start to finish for an ideal timeline. In my experience, tight timelines often are rarely followed and lead to extended deadlines. Build in time to answer vendor questions and to score the responses themselves.

“These items are the most likely to delay the project and could put you in a bind. A good rule of thumb for the timeline is to estimate between six to seven months from releasing the RFP to finishing the contracting.” — 5 Keys to a Successful Healthcare IT RFP  [Emphasis added.]

“It is important to remember that the purpose of selecting a vendor and developing a solution is to provide the end users with technical capabilities that solve a business issue. The RFP should focus on these capability requirements.” — 4 Best Practices for a Successful Healthcare IT RFP Process [Emphasis added.]