When it comes to the art of writing a request for proposal (RFP), Businessolver has whipped up a plan to make it easy, recently publishing a white paper as a guide for crafting an RFP to select benefits administration vendors.                     

Titled “Getting the Most Out of Your RFP Process,” West Des Moines-based Businessolver’s white paper includes a checklist of what to ask potential vendors.

Knowing that the field is evolving rapidly, Businessolver advises relying on the streamlined RFP process, suggesting that entrepreneurs view the process as a two-way street and share general company information, existing benefits packages and goals with potential vendors.

The white paper advises being up front and specific about expectations for service, communication and schedule. Businessolver’s template itemizes a checklist of goals according to a company’s calendar, including Q&A, target dates and contact information.

The plan also recommends that business owners include informative attachments to let service providers better understand the enterprise. Such material can include SPDs, benefit guides, HRIS files and call center data.

Businessolver emphasized that all the information touched on refers to “data potential vendors need to know and the questions you need to ask!”

The guides is available at www.businessolver.com/download/272.

“Writing a meaningful and thorough request for proposal (RFP) can be the start to a healthy vendor relationship,” the company said. “View our RFP IQ to make the most of your RFP process.”