MSBO is partnering with a company called RFP Depot (soon to be BidSync) to offer you and your constituent districts a streamlined, web-based RFP and bidding system. This secure, automated, web-based system allows schools to manage all competitive and other procurement processes online. No special software is needed. It can be used by an individual district or for collaborative bidding.
This highly flexible and sophisticated tool does not have a direct cost to your district. The winning vendor pays a 1 percent fee, with a maximum payment, that supports the system. MSBO received documentation of the savings from using the system and it shows that districts more than offset the modest 1 percent fee. Fixed pricing is also available.
The RFP Depot system provides districts maximum flexibility. They have a large national database of vendors and are willing to add any vendor you wish at no cost. Your bids will be sent electronically to whatever grouping of vendors you choose...whether you want to bid nationally, statewide or locally.
In the process of considering a partnership, with RFP Depot we had more than a dozen members review this system and their overwhelming response was an enthusiastic, "...when can I start using it!" RFP Depot has been in operation for over six years and has more than 350 registered agencies nationwide. Oakland Schools and Kent ISD are both planning on using RFP Depot for collaborative bidding in the coming year, and several others are giving it serious consideration.
We believe this system lends itself for use by both ISDs and local districts. RFP Depot simplifies the bidding process and increases your ability to do multiple and collaborative bidding. It is also a powerful management tool for tracking and understanding your purchasing patterns.
Requests for sample RFPs are one of the most commonly addressed needs on the MSBO Listservs. RFP Depot offers thousands of sample RFPs and much, much more. MSBO is very impressed with RFP Depot and it is easy to use. See a list of benefits below for you and your locals when using the RFP Depot system.
To get more information, contact Michael Madsen from RFP Depot at (800) 990-9339, ext. 413 or Deneen Hansen, MSBO at 517/327-2585 and provide the name and contact information for the administrator of your district.
Watch for several one-hour web demos to be announced so you can view this product with your colleagues.
Some Benefits of RFP Depot’s System
- Easy to use interface with one-on-one technical support available from RFP Depot
- No cost to members to use the system for their own bids
- Enter bid requirements online and check on the status of a bid any time
- Eliminate time spent tabulating bid results
- Set up contracts online with vendors
- Exposure to a nation-wide network of vendors that increase the competitiveness of MSBO and member bids
- Access to nation-wide network of bid specifications and the ability to piggyback on bids locally, state-wide or from around the country
- Standardize your bids for consistency from year to year
- Increased opportunity for volume-based savings
- Have a permanent record of all bid information including diversity goals, bid packages, awards, and responses with a monthly CD-ROM extract