Procurement/Selection

The procurement process can require an extensive investment of resources. In conjunction with your experts, NexLevel consultants can decrease the time required for completion and improve the effectiveness of your procurement effort.

RFP Development

NexLevel assists organizations in developing RFP's in order to ensure a fair and open competitive procurement. NexLevel is familiar with the requirements of state and federal oversight agencies and the required guidelines for the award of maintenance, operations, and support contracts.

Based on the organization's documentation of standards and requirements for the needed IT services, NexLevel assists in the writing and issuance of the RFP. Additionally, NexLevel coordinates the development of evaluation criteria and tools to assist in the selection process.

An RFP is a highly structured document that specifies minimally acceptable administrative, business, functional, technical, and/or contractual requirements, as well as the evaluation criteria that will govern the contract award. In support of RFP development, NexLevel works cooperatively with all parties. To begin the process, we start with a state/federal approved RFP format and make productive use of sample documents that have already been developed such as previous RFPs and best practice documents, when appropriate.

Beyond the issuance of the RFP, our services may include support for procurement Q&A and problem resolution, proposal evaluation, and the contact award process. As procurement issues arise, RFP or approval processes change, or other changes impacting the procurement occur, NexLevel works with the organization to perform problem analysis and resolution. Our approach for problem analysis and resolution is to handle disputes at the lowest level possible and to emphasize open communication and informal problem solving.

If requested, NexLevel can assist with project planning for the transition of the contract to the winning vendor. This could include identifying and communicating work activities and deadlines required for conversion, securing internal and external approvals, coordinating with vendors, and specifying the requirements for the transition to a new contract.

Proposal Management/Development

One critical component of the business development cycle is the proposal process. However, the very thought of developing a large IT project proposal that is responsive and compliant with all bid requirements is a task that makes most sales and marketing professionals cringe. NexLevel offers consultants that have the leadership skills, technical knowledge, and proposal management discipline and methodologies required to help organizations reduce the cost and frustration of responding to Request for Proposals (RFP's) and other procurement solicitations.

We assist clients in producing proposals that greatly enhance their probability of success in winning both public and private sector IT contracts. Our proposal services include:

• Proposal Management-In this capacity, NexLevel leads the proposal development effort for the client. NexLevel provides the structure, tools, and leadership, while the client provides the subject matter expertise.
• Proposal Development Consulting-In this role, NexLevel assists the client by completing specific proposal development tasks, which could include, but are not limited to: proposal writing, proposal review, proposal editing, graphics development, and proposal production.
• Proposal Development Process and Proposal Assessment-NexLevel reviews a client's existing proposal development process, and existing proposals, and makes recommendations for improvements.
• Proposal Development Training-NexLevel provides proposal development training to client-specified individuals.

In regards to proposal management/development, NexLevel's strong public sector industry knowledge increases solution effectiveness, permits quicker proposal completion, and reduces risk of non-compliance.