Summer is the time to send out your Snow Removal Request-for-Proposal (RFP). You do the legwork to produce a document that clearly lays out your needs and expectations, hoping that you will receive back proposals that actually meet your needs. Year after year this cycle repeats itself.
Sometimes you get a great contractor, and sometimes you don’t. Is it possible that your RFP process doesn’t include everything that you need it to? Ask yourself, “Does my snow RFP process attract the right service providers to choose from?”
At Sauers we have found certain “best practices” in the RFP process that have help us determine if we are the right fit for a client. Below are what we have found help facility managers identify the best snow contractors for them to work with.
Our process always includes:
Discovery Call – a conversation centered around YOUR expectations and needs early-on in the sales process. You can’t meet someone’s expectations if you don’t listen first.
Site Map – a custom snow response plan identifying the service areas of your lots, walks and agreed-upon snow pile locations.
Scope of Work – a detailed Pre, During, and Post-Event Scope of Work clearly stating the service you expect to receive.
Fitted Pricing Structure – Fixed-Cost Seasonal or Pay-As-It-Snows pricing structures are available to fit your budgeting preferences
Too often the standard RFP process just receives a price on a page, and little else to work with. If your Snow RFP process is not providing you with these details, would your benefit from a conversation with Sauers?
As an added benefit you can download this free resource from Snow & Ice Management Association. It’s a great resource from a snow industry leader, designed to help you produce a better RFP document.