What document is used to describe the selection criteria and the notification protocol for respondents?

• A. RFP
• B. RFQ
• C. Contract
• D. Submittal package

Answer: (A)

The document used to describe how respondents will be evaluated and how they will be notified is the Request for Proposal. When an owner needs more than technical capability and price, they issue an RFP to solicit detailed proposals that outline how a respondent would approach the project, what their qualifications are, and, importantly, the criteria that will be used to evaluate each proposal. It also lays out the notification protocol—timelines for when proposals will be reviewed, when a decision will be announced, and how unsuccessful respondents will be informed (often including opportunities for debriefs). This combination of evaluation criteria and communication plan is what distinguishes an RFP from other procurement documents.

An RFQ, by contrast, focuses on qualifications and capabilities to shortlist candidates, rather than requesting full proposals with proposed methods and pricing. A contract comes after selection and formalizes the agreement, not the selection process itself. A submittal package is the supplier’s project-specific documentation for compliance or product data, not a document outlining how the selection will be conducted.