Request for Proposals
A Request for Proposals (RFP) process may be used when the scope of work cannot be completely defined by the County; the goods or services can be provided in several different ways; qualifications, experience or the quality of the goods or services to be delivered are significant factors of consideration, in addition to price; and/or the responses may contain varying levels of service or alternatives which lend themselves to negotiation.

Request for Qualifications
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process may be used to determine the qualifications from proposers when the County cannot or has not completely established the scope of services. An RFQ may be used, for example, when creating a pool of qualified vendors to be used on an rotational basis, or in a two-step competitive basis where the scope of services is incomplete and only those firms selected in the qualification phase compete when a particular work order is established.

Here is a brief description of the Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/RFQ) process.

1. User Department Requests RFP/RFQ.

2. Procurement Management prepares solicitations in conjunction with user department.

3. RFP/RFQ is advertised.

4. Procurement Management holds pre-proposal conference.

5. Proposals are received.

6. Proposals are evaluated.

7. Negotiations take place.

8. Award Recommendation Issued

9. Contract Administration.

RFPs and RFQs are managed by the RFP Unit in the Department of Procurement Management's Purchasing Division.