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15.4.2011

THE MR REQUEST AND PROPOSAL PROCESS

Proposing research

Uses two primary documents-RFP- request for proposal and Research

proposal. The RFP is not required in case in house research section is
there in the organization.

RFP-a formal bid request for research to be done by an outside supplier

of research services

Developing a well written document takes time and planning

RFPs provide a chance to evaluate different solutions and offer the

means of establishing, monitoring, and controlling the performance of
the winning supplier

Creating the RFP

Internal experts define the problem

Then technical section of the RFP can be written

Critical components of the RFP include PM, pricing and contract

administration

A section on proposal administration is included including important

dates

For short listing the vendors-industry experience, reputation,

geographic location, quality of previous work, size of staff, and strategic
alliances are indicators
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The general components of RFPs are :

 Proposal administration information-names key personnel and

dates

 Summary statement of the problem-can be abstract of technical

section

 Technical section-the services to be performed, equipment,

software and documentation required

1. Problem statement

2. Description of functional requirements(recording, system

integration, evaluation and analysis)

3. Identification of constraints-thorough understanding is

required

 Management section-website url’s- some level of management is

required

 Contracts and license section-NDC

 Pricing section

The proposed format could be as follows :

 Instruction to bidders

 Background

1. Overview or profile of the buyer’s company

2. Project overview
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3. Project requirements

 Vendor information

1. Company profile

2. History and description

3. Legal summary

4. Partnerships and alliances

5. References

 Proposed solution

 Services and support

 Cost proposal

1. Services pricing

2. Maintenance pricing

3. Contractual terms and conditions

The research proposal : a work plan for research project including a

research budget. Must present the researchers pan, services and
credentials. It is essentially a road map

 Question to be researched

 Discuss the related research efforts

 Suggest data necessary and how gathered

Sponsor uses :
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Comparison of the research project results with the proposal is also the
first step in the process of evaluating the overall research.

Researcher benefits :

The process of writing a proposal encourages the researcher to plan

and review the project’s logical steps. Related management and
research literature should be examined in developing the proposal.

Often Gantt charts are used for developing the peoposal. Helps in
working towards the deadline

Types of research proposals :

There are three levels of complexity :

 Exploratory

 Small scale

 Large scale-more than a doctoral thesis

Proposal modules suggested are for the large scale :

 Executive summary

 Problem statement

 Research objectives

 Literature review

 Importance/benefits of study

 Research design

 Data analysis
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 Nature and form of results

 Qualification of researchers

 Budget

 Schedule

 Facilities and special resources

 Project management

 Bibliography

 Appendices/glossary of terms

 Measurement instrument

Internal propoals :

More succinct than external ones

External proposal :

Solicited proposal is proposal developed in response to an RFP

An unsolicited proposal is a suggestion by a contract researcher for

research that might be done. Window of opportunity is very narrow
usually

Structuring the research proposal

Put together a set of modules that tailors your proposal to the intended
audience
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 Executive summary-an informative abstract providing the

essentials of the proposal without the details. Give brief
description of your qualification for a unsolicited proposal

 Problem statement-why something should be done to change the

status quo

 Research objectives-purpose of the investigation and flows

naturally from the problem statement

 Literature review-examines recent research studies-do a brief

review of the information

 Importance/benefits of the study-you must convince the sponsor

that your plan will meet its needs

 Research design-what you are going to do in technical terms-

sample selection and size, data collection method,
instrumentation, procedures and ethical requirements

 Data analysis-assure the sponsor you are using the correct

assumptions. Charts and tables are useful here

 Nature and form of results-contractual statement in addition to

action plans

 Qualifications of researchers-research competence and relevant

managerial experience

 Budget-employee and overhead costs for internal projects. For

external projects it is person hour price the vendor charges. Cost
of proposal writing shoud be included in fee

 Schedule-pert may be used

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 Facilities and special resources-like focus group discussions

 Project management-tables and charts are most helpful in

presenting a master plan

1. Organization

2. Procedures and controls

3. Management and technical reports

4. Relationship with the sponsor

5. Financial and legal responsibility

6. Management competence

 Bibliography-must if there has been a literature review

 Appendices-Glossary, Measurement instrument

Evaluating the research proposal :

 Review criteria using RFP guidelines

 Assign points to each criterion

 Weight for each criterion

 Score for each proposal