AIA Northern Minnesota: RFP Examples

AIA Northern Minnesota, in collaboration with AIA Minneapolis, is beginning to gather information about the RFPs and procurement processes architects encounter when pursuing work with public entities. We have noted instances where language or requirements may unintentionally create challenges for both the community and the firms responding.

As part of this effort, we are asking our members to help us identify both concerning examples and positive examples of RFPs or processes from an architecture firm’s perspective. For relevant examples, we’d appreciate any notes you can provide about what specifically caught your attention and why.

Examples might include such areas as:
• Qualifications and evaluation criteria
• Fee and compensation requirements
• Insurance or contractual requirements
• Scope and deliverables
• Schedule and procurement timelines
• Interviews and selection processes
• Contract terms
• Requirements that may disproportionately affect smaller firms or firms with specialized expertise
• Other elements that make a public RFP particularly difficult to navigate, or particularly well crafted.

At this early stage, we are simply gathering information. The intent is to develop a better understanding of the experiences of architecture firms across Minnesota and to use that information to inform upcoming conversations with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) regarding elements of RFPs and RFP processes that may warrant further discussion.

If you have examples to share, please respond by September 1st using this form (it can be filled anonymously, if desired). A full RFP is ideal, but a relevant excerpt or description is welcome as well. Your experience can help us bring real-world perspective to this conversation.