Creating a Successful RFP (Request for Proposal) Assignment
Advanced Topics in Networking
NETW471
Week 4 (DUE)

Request for Proposal

Throughout this course and the Information Technology/Telecommunications arena you may or may not work in, the concept of a “RFP” will be raised. Using the Course Lecture, the Internet, your textbook, our Thread Discussions and the many Telecommunications industry magazines on this topic, create a “RFP” on the technology you have selected. Write a 2-3 page (minimum) RFP, utilizing most or all the elements of a good RFP (ex. Solicitation Planning, Vendor Selection, and Evaluating the Proposal) and describing the technology you have selected . Please include a cover page (does not count towards the 2 to 3 page minimum). Please use the course lecture this week which describes fully the different aspects of a good RFP. Please also check our Webliography which gives you a list of industry magazines that provide examples of RFPs submitted on different technologies

Point Value (towards final grade)== 60 Points

Submission Instructions: Click on the “Dropbox” tab at the top of your screen and place the assignment in the “Week4:RFP” dropbasket.

Grading RUBRIC for Request for Proposal (RFP)

Grade Value
Gradable Elements/Assessments for RFP
High Value
(50-60) points
Research: Student’s paper was well researched and involved thoughtful and detailed analysis
Identification/Use of Terms: Student clearly identified/spotted advanced networking technology concepts within the Telecommunications, Networking and Information Technology industry.
Textbook Incorporation/Definitions/Concepts: Student utilized definitions and advanced networking concepts from textbook and others sources, and incorporated/ applied them to the specific technology being discussed.
Discussed Pros & Cons of Technology: Student contrasted and compared argument for “both sides” of the implementation and/or consideration of the technology being discussed/proposed. Student discussed argument for the pros and cons of the technology being discussed/proposed.
Citation/Sources/References: Student properly stated/cited what page they found the answer in the text.
Grammar & Punctuation Accuracy: Student had No grammatical or spelling errors in assignment
Organization/Neatness/Presentation: Student formatting of paper was neat, organized and included (writing out the question –THEN presenting the answer)
High Quality & Excellent Writing Skills: The paper is clear, engaging, original, and focused; ideas and content are richly developed with details and examples. Organization and form enhance the central idea and theme; ideas are presented coherently to move the reader through the text. The voice of the writer is compelling and conveys the writer’s meaning through effective sentence structure and precise word choices. The writer successfully moves the paper through academic constructs and experiential documentation to critical analysis. The paper demonstrates a clear balance of these three components.

NOTE: These assessments and guidelines are based upon the individual Professor’s expert judgement of what is considered High/Medium/Low Quality work.
Medium Value
(40-50 points)

Research: Student answered “part”, some or most of the question presented., but not all. Student did “some” research on the subject matter but not enough detail or properly “spotting the legal issue.
Identification/Use of Terms: Student identified/spotted SOME advanced networking technology concepts within the Telecommunications, Networking and Information Technology industry, BUT did not mention and discuss some key terms that are relevant to the topic being discussed.
Textbook Incorporation/Definitions/Concepts: Student utilized a few definitions and advanced networking concepts from textbook, but had low to medium incorporation and application of key terms and concepts from the textbook, that are relevant to the specific technology being discussed. Student could have applied more usage of relevant terms from the textbook into their paper.
Discussed Pros & Cons of Technology: Student did some contrast and comparison and briefly discussed arguments for “both sides” of the implementation and/or consideration of the technology being discussed/proposed. BUT student could have explored and discussed argument for the pros and cons of the technology being discussed/proposed in more detail.
Citation/Sources/References: Student did not properly cite all sources. Student listed some sources and citations properly but not all.
Grammar & Punctuation Accuracy: Student had a few grammatical, punctuation and/or spelling errors in their paper/writing assignment.
Organization/Neatness/Presentation: Student formatting of paper was somewhat neat, but could have been more organized and neater in appearance. More use of Microsoft Word advanced features could have bee used to enhance the appearance and presentation of the paper. (writing out the question –THEN presenting the answer)

Medium Quality Research & Writing Skills The paper is reasonably clear, focused, and well supported; ideas are adequately developed through details and examples. Organization and form are appropriate, and ideas are generally presented coherently. The voice of the writer contributes to the writer’s meaning through appropriate and varied sentence structure and word choices. Surface features do not interfere with understanding or distract from meaning. The writer has clearly brought the reader through properly cited academic constructs and experiential documentation, but has not fully developed the area of critical analysis. OR

The paper has some focus and support; ideas and content may be developed with limited details and examples. The writing may be somewhat disorganized or too obviously structured. The voice of the writer is generally absent; basic sentence structure and limited vocabulary convey a simple message. Surface feature errors may reduce understanding and interfere with meaning. The content areas of academic constructs are limited and large generalizations are made. Critical analysis is all but absent from the paper.

NOTE: These assessments and guidelines are based upon the individual Professor’s expert judgement of what is considered High/Medium/Low Quality work.

Low Value
30-40 points (or below)

Research: Student’s paper was NOT well researched and did not involve enough thoughtful and detailed analysis
Identification/Use of Terms: Student did NOT clearly identify nor spot relevant and advanced networking technology concepts within the Telecommunications, Networking and Information Technology industry.
Textbook Incorporation/Definitions/Concepts: Student did NOT utilize definitions and advanced networking concepts from textbook and did not incorporate nor apply enough specific technology concepts within the paper.
Discussed Pros & Cons of Technology: Student did not do enough or any contrasting and comparative arguments for “both sides” of the implementation and/or consideration of the technology being discussed/proposed. Student did not discuss enough or any arguments for the pros and cons of the technology being discussed/proposed.
Citation/Sources/References: Student did not properly state/cite enough or any sources from the textbook, industry magazines or other relevant sources.
Grammar & Punctuation Accuracy: Student had some, many or too many grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors in the assignment.
Organization/Neatness/Presentation: Student’s formatting of paper was not neat enough, nor organized. Student could broader use and application of MS. Word features in order to make their paper more presentable and readable.
Low Quality Research & Writing Skills: The paper has little focus and development; few details and examples support ideas and content. There is little discernible shape and no direction. The writer’s tone is flat. Awkward sentence structure and inadequate vocabulary interfere with understanding. Limited control of surface features makes paper difficult to read. Critical analysis is absent, and segments of the paper are given to rambling descriptions of life experience without academic context.
NOTE: These assessments and guidelines are based upon the individual Professor’s expert judgement of what is considered High/Medium/Low Quality work.
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Additional Sources on “RFP” and examples of Requests for Proposals.

The following Websites give you information on what a RFP is and how it should be formatted. There are also links to Industry RFPs. Use this information as an example to prepare your own RFP for the technology you are discussing.

Free RFP Template Samples and Request for Proposal (for Technology Evaluation) http://rfp-templates.technologyevaluation.com/ How to Write a Request for Proposal http://www.internetraining.com/6art2.htm Government RFP, Bid & Contract Finder & Notification http://www.findrfp.com/ Webopedia RFP Information http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RFP.html Foundation Center RFP Information http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/ Connecting Buyers and Vendors
http://www.bidnet.com/