SIGIA-L Mail Archives: SIGIA-L: Re: RFP (aka: Advertisement in
SIGIA-L: Re: RFP (aka: Advertisement in Sheep's clothing)
From: Brian Duck (bduck_at_solarverse.com)
Date: Wed Feb 28 2001 - 09:15:11 EST
It wasn't clear in the post, and it took me awhile to catch on. The post to
this list was from one of the originators of the RFP, or from that
organization. (I assume)
MERX is a PAID service for locating RFP information. I started the
registration process before realizing that, to download the FULL RFP, I
would be required to pas a 'service fee' to this organization. (MERX)
[There are embedded usability issues there, but I won't go into that...]
What was quoted as the RFP was actually meta-data describing the RFP as bait
for you to:
1) Subscribe to their service,
2) Pay a fee for the PUBLIC information.
IMHO, not only is this poor practice for the government agency:
a) They're artificially limiting their potential suppliers to whoever
happens to subscribe to this ONE service.
b) They're building a PRIVATE information monopoly with Governement (PUBLIC
OWNED) information.
c) They're punishing those who could help them. (US)
I sent a private reply asking if the *actual* RFP was posted anywhere &
stated my belief that if it wasn't then the post to this list was
inappropriate.
Why do I feel it's not appropriate?
<rant>
By posting the announcement of the RFP here, but requiring us to access
it via a private, subscription only service, they are committing all the
poor practices mentioned above! (a, b, and c).
As such, it amounts to an ADVERTISEMENT for MERX!
</rant>
Brian Duck
E-Business Systems Analyst
& Information Architect
Compuware
(800) 462-7740
Voice Mail #99506
www.compuware.com
----------
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 17:23:34 -0600
> From: Andrew Otwell <andrew_at_heyotwell.com>
> Subject: SIGIA-L: Re: RFP
>
> Maybe I'm not understanding MERX or what the offer here is regarding
> the "Consulting Services : Develop a Comprehensive Information
> Architecture for Knowledge Management" RFP.
>
> <Snip>
>
> I don't want to sound rude, but are RFPs for this kind of project
> typically this vague? I ask because I wouldn't know how to approach
> responding to this kind of request. What kind of response would be
> appropriate or generate interest, given that the deadline is March 1?
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