Implementing Library Technology: Request for Proposal (RFP) Writing
What is an RFP?
"The request for proposal (RFP) is the heart of a library system purchase and represents a coordinated effort between members of the library staff to develop a coherent statement of the library’s mission, needs, and expectations. [It] is a tool used by institutions to purchase products and services by promoting competitive proposals among vendors. The RFP’s use, though, extends beyond an institution’s procurement process. It, along with the winning vendor’s response, serves as the foundation for the working relationship between institution and vendor. This foundation allows both parties to operate under the same agreed-upon solutions, requirements, and schedules set forth in the request and proposal."
Waller, Nicole. 2009. "Chapter 1: What Is An RFP And Why Is It Worth Your Time?".Library Technology Reports 39 (4): 7-11.
Library Technology Buying Strategies by ISBN: 9780838914670Publication Date: 2016-07-01The prospect of a new automation system can be daunting. Knowing the options is key to arriving at the best answers for your own organization.
The Complete Library Technology Planner by ISBN: 9781555706814Publication Date: 2010-10-01Careful and systematic planning is essential to the success of your library's technology implementation efforts. This complete, clear, and easy-to-follow guide takes a highly practical, hands-on approach to thoroughly prepare public, academic, school and special libraries to develop and implement a technology plan in the library. The accompanying CD-ROM includes over thirty-five time-saving, sample technology plans and RFPs.
Writing an RFP for Acquisitions by ISBN: 9780838984835Publication Date: 2008Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of writing an RFP and guides librarians through the process of planning and organizing and writing an RFP in order to select a vendor to use for acquiring materials. General enough to help with RFPs that acquisitions specialists handle nowadays, such as for ILS or e-resource management tools.
Other RFP resources
Waller, Nicole. "Model RFP for Integrated Library System Products." Library Technology Reports 39, no.4 (2003). http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/ltr.39n4
Westfall, Micheline, Justin Clarke, and Jeanne M. Langendorfer. "Selecting a Vendor: The Request for Proposal (RFP) from Library and Vendor Perspectives." Serials Librarian 64, no. 1-4 (January 2013): 188-195. doi:10.1080/0361526X.2013.761031.
Additional resources can be found by doing a web search for <sample rfp for integrated library system> or searching WorldCat for <sample rfp libraries>
- Library Technology ReportsHelp librarians make informed decisions about technology projects and purchases. Reports may address the application of technology to library services, offer evaluative descriptions of specific products or product classes, or cover emerging technology.
- The RFP Writer's Guide to Standards for Library SystemsThis guide will help library system Request for Proposal (RFP) writers and evaluators understand the relevant standards and determine a software product's compliance with standards. It identifies critical standards in the areas of Bibliographic Formats, Record Structure, Character Sets, Exchange Media, Serials Identifiers, Binding, Circulation Protocols, Barcodes, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), Electronic Documents, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Information Retrieval, Metadata, and Web Access. For each standard, the applicability to libraries is described, sample RFP language is provided, and compliance assessment issues are discussed. A glossary and a summary table of all discussed standards are included.