Improve government and corporate RFPs by applying the experience of RFP-response experts.
Foster affordable competition. For services contracting, consider using a simpler model, more akin to construction tenders or to the Request for Quote (or Price and Availability) used for off-the-shelf commercial products than to the approach usually required for system procurement.
Foster innovative competition. Include some industry experts on the evaluation team and make it known that you’re doing that: folks who are independent both of Government and of any bidder. Sometimes the senior folks want innovation but the junior folks (who sit on evaluation teams) distrust anything that looks new or different from established practices. Outside experts can help to push back against this inertia.
Foster strong competition, especially on rebids, by ensuring independent review and by getting all required information from the incumbent.
Foster fair competition. Keep the end user’s senior staff visibly involved in all stages of the procurement strategy . . .
Foster end user buy-in of competition. End users who pay for the required goods and/or services out of their own budget usually value strong competition. If that’s not the budgeting scenario – and it isn’t always – then see if there’s another way for the end user to benefit from a reduction the cost.