Member Question:
I have a question, for those actively participating in the RFQ & RFP process today.
We had a client request we put up one page of his newly developed site, even though it was in the production phase and not close to finalization. He requested we upload one page, disconnect the links, and post. In further discussion he explained, having a website was part of a RFQ submission requirement. Both concerned are privately held corporations and both in the US.
Has this become a standard requirement in the RFQ/RFPprocess? If so, in what cases and industries is it required?
My Response:
The statement that “having a website was part of RFQ submission requirement,” demonstrates that the “myths” surrounding discredited supply chain practices continue to persist.
Do not misunderstand me, with the advent of the Metaprise platform which itself has been enhanced by the emergence of Web 2.0, the Internet does have a role to play to be certain. But as was the case with the broadly applied vendor rationalization strategies, touting web-based RFx programs as an absolute, all-encompassing necessity is both irresponsible and inaccurate. This is especially problematic from the supplier perspective.
I have provided you with links to part 6 of my 7 Part Dangerous SUpply CHain Myths series (which has been widely published in both Canada and the U.S.), as well as a recent article titled the Bands of Public Sector Supplier Engagement.
While I am certain that you will find the entire series informative, these two articles represent a good starting point relative to the RFx question.
Dangerous Supply Chain Myths (Part 2): https://procureinsights.wordpress.com/2007/05/29/dangerous-supply-chain-myths-part-2/
The Bands of Publice Sector Supplier Engagement: https://procureinsights.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/the-bands-of-public-sector-supplier-engagement/
Popular SpeedQuest Service Now Available: https://procureinsights.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/popular-speedquest%e2%84%a2-service-now-available-to-pi-blog-readers/
Procurement Insights 
Josephine Massey-Frenard
October 1, 2008
There is increasing pressure for public sector organisation to engage with eTendering and eRFx, especially in the EU, where it’s often referred to as dematerialisation. We’ve but an article on this topic our our site:
http://news.supplierselect.com/2008/09/18/esourcing-software-in-public-sector-tendering/