INTRODUCTIONHow to Write an RFP an Manage and RFP Project will help you write a Request for Proposal, more commonly known as an RFP. Readers that will get the most from this book are those responsible for purchasing products or services through the competitive bidding process, or plan to work in that field. This book will not help you write the proposal in response to the RFP.While it is impossible for one book to answer all of your questions on any particular subject, and every RFP is different, I have selected the most common information that in my experience applies to most RFPs. If you know nothing about the RFP process and your eyes are glazing over right now, I am certain that you will learn a lot from this book by the time you have completed your RFP project. Think of this book as a crutch rather than a bible. That's because even after working with this book, you will still have to do some research and talk to people in your organization. You may need to learn about specific requirements, regulations, or standards that may apply to your situation. You may also need to learn a bit about the particular product or service you are purchasing. Use this book as a prompt to help you generate the right questions to ask during the course of your RFP project. Your organization may have its own pre-determined standards for writing and issuing RFPs. That's fine. You should comply with and conform to their rules. You can still use this book to help you gain a better understanding of the general processes of RFP writing, production, and project management.DISCLAIMEROr, What This Book Will NOT Help You Do This book will not help you respond to an RFP. The RFP response, often called the bid or the proposal is the other side of the coin and is not covered in this book. Think of it as playing for two opposing football teams. Your company is the home team and the vendors responding to your RFP are the visitors. Remember, an RFP is a request for a proposal, not the proposal itself. If you don't understand the difference, keep reading.This book was formally titled The Diamond Guide to Writing an RFP.