[biosurfer1]

Let me start by saying I understand why the public process for proposals is the way it is, but doesn't make it any less frustrating.

My experience with Request for Proposals process:

Private: Boss looks at a couple proposals, throws the crap and/or companies he doesn't like in the trash. Skims the rest and picks one. Total time, about 1 hour.

Public: Gather dozens of old RFP requests from co-workers to see what has worked in the past, and try to copy and paste those sections to try and make my life easier. Spend way more time customizing proposal to fit needs while trying to be as specific as possible to avoid someone complaining and vague scoring. Work with procurement to make sure everything is accounted for and finally post request. Host public webinar to slowly explain every section and answer any questions, publicly, to ensure so complaints about favoritism. Receive dozens of proposals, most highly unqualified, and start scoring. Beg 2+ co-workers to help score proposals as required per rules. Spend time scoring each proposal, even completely unqualified ones, with specific reasons for scores and evidence to backup. Work with co-workers to come up with group score and rank proposals. Award contract and start terms negotiation while opening contesting period. Sit with procurement to go over each answer and be able to defend any score for all the unqualified proposals who of course complain the process wasn't fair. Hopefully make it through and actually award contract to qualified company who didn't completely like on the proposal.
Time: 6-8 months if it's quick and I'm lucky😕

Rant over!