RFP Management

IT management and their teams are typically too over-taxed to run an effective and rigorous RFP process.  Dark Star Technology has managed numerous and varied RFP efforts and provides expert requirements engineering, vendor management, bake-off and pricing guidance.  We employ a disciplined but flexible process to build consensus between users, architects, engineers, operators, procurement and compliance teams to ensure the optimal overall solution is chosen.  

Our proven IT RFP process involves a logical progression of steps which dove-tail into an organizations own procurement methods.  Dark Star Technology methodology provides enhancements to ensure that best of breed is identified, operational considerations are weighed, and decision makers are well informed during negotiations over pricing and service levels.  

We commence every RFP initiative with a strong emphasis on IT and business requirements discovery and documentation. These requirements and success criteria, once vetted and prioritized, form the basis for an evaluation matrix which facilitates an apples-to-apples comparison of vendor offerings.  We manage the vendor responses and activities to ensure a level playing field, and act as liaison to all key stakeholders. 

Our RFP artifacts on product capability, interoperability, service levels and technical assurances are later incorporated as elements of the final contract.  Dark Star Technology has a deep bench of senior subject matter experts that are brought to bear to validate vendor assertions and expose weaknesses. We meld the business and IT worlds by creating inclusive proof of concept test plans where all stakeholders are working side by side.  We provide expert guidance on negotiating price and delivery guarantees, to ensure that the vendor’s best and final offer brings the most value to our client.  

Our goal is to achieve trusted adviser status, and that success is evident in the numerous repeat RFP management engagements we have delivered for our clients.