RFPs FOR DUMMIES. An RFP is a request for proposal sent out by a company that is considering...

RFPs FOR DUMMIES

An RFP is a request for proposal sent out by a company that is

considering relocating.

WHAT IS AN RFP?

HOW ARE RFPS DISTRIBUTED?

The Business Location Division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce works the company that is considering relocation and disseminates the information to the Rural Development Specialists or Partnerships who then send it out to you.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS

North Central RDS - Barry Clark Northern Oklahoma College (Stillwater) 405-640-9149 barry_clark@okcommerce.gov

West Central RDS - Corey Herndon Redlands CC (El Reno) 405-596-0663 corey_herndon@okcommerce.gov

Southwest RDS - Christy Elkins Red River Tech Center (Duncan) 405-596-0080 christy_elkins@okcommerce.gov

Southeast RDS - Glenn Glass REI (Durant) 405-596-1640 glenn_glass@okcommerce.gov

Northeast RDS - Lisa Clark EODD (Muskogee) 918-323-1411 lisa_clark@okcommerce.gov

OKC Metro/Far NW - Rob Gragg Rural Development Director ODOC (OKC) 405-596-0314 rob_gragg@okcommerce.gov

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO AN RFP

1. Create an existing data base of information that is commonly required in a response.

2. Answer only the questions that are asked.

3. Keep it short and to the point.

YOU WILL ALWAYS INCLUDE:

• Cover letter• Maps of your community

–Minutes to highways, major markets, etc.–Where you are positioned in the state–Aerial maps of proposed site

• State and local incentives• Photos and information about proposed site• All information requested in the RFP

• Workforce data, including

–Unemployment

–Underemployment

–Population in commute area• Make sure figures are stated in actual drive time

minutes as well as miles. • Many times companies from larger cities do not

comprehend how commuting patterns work in Oklahoma.

COVER LETTER EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE OF A COVER LETTER

HIGHWAY MAP

30, 60, and 90 mile/minute Radius MapPresent in both miles and minutes

Contact your Local Rural Development Specialist

INCENTIVES EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE OF WELL DEVELOPED RFP

FORMAT

CREATE AN RFP/SITE

SELECTOR BINDER

INCLUDE: • A generic cover letter• School report card• Sites available • Buildings available• Maps• General demographics about your

community– ODOC website– Oklahoma Virtual Community – Contact your

local RDS for this information

• Wage data (OESC)• Labor market data• Marketing materials• Quality of life information• Local and state incentives• Quotes from other companies

in your community

WHERE TO FIND DATA

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

www.OKcommerce.gov

(Contact your RDS for assistance)

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC)

http://www.oesc.state.ok.us

You can also use the Oklahoma Virtual Community website for help with demographic information needed in many RFPs. Go to the website, or contact:

Ray Murphy(918)458-9687 rmurphy@oklahomavirtualcommunity.com

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Red River Environmental Services, Inc.1404 SE 135th StreetLawton, OK 73501

580-250-1500

A&M Engineering and Environmental Services10010 E 16th Street

Tulsa, OK918-665-6575

Proposed Transportation Improvements-city/county government-Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Zoning-City Planner-Small Towns: City Hall

You can obtain a tax map and a platt map from your county assessor’s office.

Your city planner’s office will have maps of the utility and transportation infrastructure.

USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

You may find a USGS topographic map at your County Assessor’s office. If not, you may obtain one for a minimal fee at: http://topomaps.usgs.gov

FEMA FLOOD PLAIN MAP

FEMA maps may be purchased at the FEMA website for your county. There is a cost involved.

www.fema.gov

AERIAL MAP

If your community doesn’t have aerial photos you can use the website Google Earth and print one directly from the site. The downloadable software is free and it is also free to print maps.

www.earth.google.com

This information can be found by contacting your electrical provider.

ELECTRICAL GRID, DISTRIBUTION MAP, RATE SCHEDULE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS MAP, RATE SCHEDULE, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE IN

YOUR AREA

Contact your telephone company and/or long distance service provider and they will be able to supply this information.