What is RFP?
A request for proposal (RFP) is a document inviting vendors to propose how they would solve a stated problem, with approach, timeline and price, so a buyer can evaluate and choose among them.
In more detail
RFPs fit complex purchases where the buyer knows the problem but not the best solution: software, outsourced services, construction. The document gives background, requirements, evaluation criteria and weights, submission rules and contract terms. Vendors answer with their approach, team, references and pricing. Public bodies are often required to run an RFP, with rules on fairness and timing, so check the procurement rules that apply to you. Writing and answering RFPs is slow, repetitive work. On the buyer side, AI can draft requirements from interview notes and summarize responses against the criteria. On the vendor side, it can draft answers from a library of approved past responses. Either way, a person owns the scores and every claim that is submitted.
Example
A retailer sends an RFP for a scheduling system with 60 requirements. Responses are extracted into a scoring sheet by requirement, and the evaluation panel reviews the AI-drafted notes before it scores each vendor.