by Harv Mock, VP Sales & Marketing,Planned Legacy

Frequently we find ourselves disappointed with a product or service we’ve received because we either didn’t ask for precisely what we wanted, or we weren't quite sure what to ask for.

If the item at issue is a $50 recognition plaque, it’s frustrating but not catastrophic. If it’s a $50,000 integrated donor wall however, built with inferior materials or with a multimedia presentation that won’t perform properly, it not only represents a significant waste of capital resources - it can also cost you your job.

The Problem With Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

RFPs can be a stroll in the park or a stressful walk on the wild side depending on your approach. To begin with, most organizations making significant expenditures require at least three competitive bids and, while that’s an excellent policy, there are some potential pitfalls to consider:

1. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

New materials, interactive and digital electronics, advanced graphics and other innovations, are allowing donor walls to become dynamic destinations where achievements can be showcased and donors can receive the recognition they deserve. But, if you’re not familiar with these new technologies or the benefits and/or limitations of them, how can you be expected to ask for them correctly in your RFP?

Unfortunately, you need to do some homework. In addition to asking your professional peers about projects and vendors they’ve used, you can also post queries on CASE, AFP, ADRP or AHP List Serves, talk to vendors at trade shows and look at their Web sites. Try to gauge new trends in areas such as environmental graphic design, digital signage and fabrication materials. Investing extra time up front can help you create the perfect recognition solution and save you significant dollars.

2. Purchasing Departments: Whose Side Are They On?

The mandate of a Purchasing Department is often to select the most suitable vendor based on predetermined criteria that may include price, similar projects, client references, geographic considerations and any number of other factors. Often, the Purchasing Department will prepare an RFP using only limited information provided by the Development Office, without clearly understanding the nuances or objectives of the recognition project.

Just as everything is not black and white, RFPs should not just be about dollars and cents. If your donor wall vendor must be sourced through your Purchasing Department, take the time to meet with them first to carefully outline your vision, including the message you want your display to convey; what you want your visitors to see and do when they stand in front of the display; how information will be updated; and what level of ongoing service and support you expect.

Another important point - some organizations have the Purchasing Department select the successful vendor based on the established criteria. This might be fine from a policy standpoint but it doesn’t work in real life. You need to be part of the selection process because, at the end of the day, it is you who will have to work with the vendor and deal with any fallout - not the Purchasing Department.

3. Don’t Set Yourself Up For Failure

If you prepare an RFP that contains an outline of the kind of display you are thinking about, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Why not let the proposed vendor recommend what they think is the best solution for you based on your objectives, physical space requirements and budget? Keep in mind that while you may undertake a large recognition project once or twice a year, most reputable vendors have numerous projects in production at all times and can offer suggest solutions that are creative, cost effective and able to meet your objectives.

4. Don’t Play Budget Hide and Seek

Every project has a budget, even if it has some flexibility. If you include a budget figure in your RFP you’ll do yourself and the bidding vendors a huge favor. Without a budget, a vendor may propose a wonderful solution that may be far more costly than you can afford. If you provide a budget however, everyone is working to the same dollar amount. The fact that it’s a competitive bidding process will safeguard you against artificially inflated estimates.

5. You Should Pick The References, Not The Vendor

A vendor is going to provide a listing of clients most pleased with their service. Instead, ask for a client list or at least a good cross section of clients, particularly in your non-profit sector. Then, contact organizations of your own choosing.

6. The More You Give, The More You Get

The more information you can include with your RFP, the more likely it is that a vendor will be able to respond with a viable proposal. If you’re building a new facility, try to provide floor plans, architect renderings, CAD drawings, proposed colors and lighting etc. If it’s an existing facility, provide digital photos, dimensions, existing or proposed colors or anything else that will help define the project.

7. You Get What You Pay For

Don’t ask vendors to submit a concept design with their RFP submission. It’s difficult for anyone to develop a concept for a project that has yet to be fully defined. You should be able to judge a vendor’s capabilities based on their portfolio and by speaking to their clients. And you should expect to pay for good design work. You wouldn’t ask an architect to design a house for you on the understanding that if you like the design you’ll buy it, so why would you ask a recognition display vendor the same thing?

8. Request for Information (RFI) Before RFP

Before distributing your RFP, it helps to know as much as possible about your possible vendors. Start out with a Request For Information (RFI) document and send it to as many potential vendors as you wish. In the RFI ask candidates about their corporate history, their experience with projects like the one you’re considering, their ability to deliver in your geographic area within your time frame, their project team and qualifications etc. Based on the responses you receive (or don’t receive), you can make your short list.

Creating the Perfect RFP - In Summary

1. Provide as much information as possible.
2. Make sure to include a budget amount.
3. Work closely with your Purchasing Department. 
4. Get references from vendor clients that YOU select.
5. Be involved in the final selection process.

Would you like to be featured in our Community Ties Nonprofit Newsletter?
Do you have a story to tell that would offer valuable insights to our subscribers?

If you are a nonprofit development professional and would like to be interviewed for our Community Ties Nonprofit Newsletter, or if you have an interesting story that relates to donor recognition, donor walls, donor relations, stewardship, interactive technologies, nonprofit marketing or related nonprofit areas, that you think would be of interest to our readers, please e-mail us at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!