Members across the country have worked together to develop our competitive RFP process, ensuring an outstanding program that strives to meet both public and individual institution diversity and compliance requirements.
More than just upfront pricing discounts, this program has real time saving benefits. You don’t have to conduct the RFP process because we do it for you. This means your staff has more time to focus on other strategic issues.
RFP Development
- E&I’s Senior Vice President, Sourcing or designee appoints product and/or service experts within the Cooperative and membership to participate in the RFP development and evaluation process.
- Regular meetings are held (virtually or in-person) between the E&I Contract Manager and the RFP Team to identify RFP content, technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and potential suppliers.
- The RFP clearly states description of products and/or services, evaluation factors, delivery schedule, and terms and conditions.
RFP Development
Issuing & Advertising
- The RFP is issued for a minimum of 30 days to potential suppliers.
- E&I provides members with an electronic link to the solicitation and members are requested to advertise by the prescribed methods within each state and by member policy.
- The RFP is advertised in USA Today, a national publication.
- The RFP is posted to E&I’s Electronic Sourcing Solution.
- A pre-proposal conference, if required, is held approximately 14 days after the release of the RFP.
- Participant proposals may be modified or withdrawn at any time prior to the closing of the RFP.
- Receipt of electronically submitted proposals are sealed and chronicled within E&I’s Electronic Sourcing Solution.
Issuing & Advertising
Evaluation & Award
- Proposals are evaluated in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria within the RFP.
- Award is posted to the E&I website.
- Notifications of award are sent by E&I to all members and RFP respondents.
