Contracting Officer Podcast Slides Knowledge & Insights From Contracting Officers

What is the Difference Between an RFI, a DRFP, and an RFP? Episode 008 What is the Difference Between an RFI, a DRFP, and an RFP? Original Air Date: January 5, 2015 Hosts: Kevin Jans & Paul Schauer

Formatting notes Hyperlinks: Blue font indicates hyperlinks – presentation must be in ‘Slide Show’ mode to activate the link Red bold font indicates a point of emphasis Green bold font indicates CO’s personal comment or perspective

Overview This episode explains the difference between a Request for Information (RFI), the Draft RFP (DRFP), and the Request for Proposal (RFP) Why does the Contracting Officer use them? What are they used for? When do these documents appear (which Acquisition Time Zone) What communication is allowed in each? What do Government and Industry do with each?

When does an RFI, DRFP, and RFP happen? Acquisition Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 003) Requirements Zone Market Research Zone RFP Zone (proposal zone) Source Selection Zone Execution Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 084) Kick Off Zone Performance Zone Re-compete Zone (well, sort of… ) Wrap-up Zone

Request for Information Government wants to learn: Technical - Industry capabilities Number of qualified companies Relative time to deliver Different solutions available Is the requirement feasible

Request for Information Small business set aside (when applicable) Relative cost This is your chance to market your solution and shape the RFP Open communication allowed and encouraged Private conversations take place here Might hold a bidders conference here

Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP) Government wants to learn: Will selected Evaluation criteria lead to the desired solution? Will selected Evaluation criteria unfairly favor one or more offerors? Last chance to influence the selection criteria in your favor Open communication Allowed, but generally more guarded Q&A controlled by CO Often published for all offerors to see If there is a bidder's conference, this is often when it happens

Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP) Open communication (continued) Questions & Answers controlled by CO Often published for all offerors to see If there is a bidder's conference, this is often when it happens

Request for Proposals (RFP) The real deal, no more changes Except for RFP Amendments (but do not count on them) Your proposal must comply with the RFP as written No more chances to influence selection outside of your proposal Communication strictly controlled All must flow through CO; usually a Q&A period, published for all to see

Summary RFI – Used in Zone 2 - Market Research to shape the DRFP DRFP – Used in Zone 2 – Market Research to shape and finalize the RFP RFP – Used in Zone 3 to specify requirements, and how proposals must be submitted

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