Hey, what can I say? I read Redstate. It’s been fun watching Republicans implode. However, Redstate pointed to a recent RFP issued by the Republican National Committe that seems to encapsulate all the technical problems that the Republicans are experiencing. I point out this RFP only as an instructional guide as to how NOT to write an RFP for your website redesign. The RNC issued a TWO page RFP for a complete redesign of their website. The modus operandi for the redesign as expressed by Michael Steele:
Chairman Steele made his tech priorities clear at the event: “…bottom line is if we haven’t done it – let’s do it. If we haven’t thought of it – think about it. If it hasn’t been tried – why not? If it’s going to be ‘outside the box’ – then not only keep it outside the box, but take it to someplace the box hasn’t even reached yet.”
The project objectives are so ambitious and so vague that’s it’s clear that this is one of those terribly unprofessional RFPs where the actual vendor has already been “pre-wired”. Redstate’s Erick Erickson goes on to say as much.
…Because there is no way any competent person would put together an RFP like this. It’s crap. It is not legitimate. It is unprofessional. It is illusory.
Either they don’t know what they are doing, or they’ve already picked their consultant and are going through the motions. If it is the former, well, the RNC is screwed. If it is the latter, Michael Steele’s claims about bidding out work was B.S.
The scope of this RFP is vast. Not only is the RNC asking for a redesign of the GOP website, but the RNC is asking vendors to re-engineer their social network, work on templates for “30+” state parties, build a “sharing system” for voter file data, AND build a donations platform.
Interestingly, Kimbia gets mentioned first as on the GOP’s list of preferred technologies:
Integrate outside products through common API’s, widgets, or iframes (examples: Kimbia fundraising, Voter Vault, Widgetbox, Ning).
No mention of other donation platforms? Not Google Checkout or Amazon Flexible Payments System? We know that Google is run by crazy “libtards” (I say this endearingly) but Jeff Bezos is a Republican, isn’t he? But wait, there’s more. The RFP also pulls out a classic user request that you found more often in the 1990s:
An aesthetically pleasing site that is intuitive and fun to use should be the overall goal.
Yes, I’ve never heard of any client or nonprofit want a site that was NOT intuitive and fun to use.
Flash interfaces can often make mundane tasks exciting, and having Flash developers who understand user behavior will make the site more user-friendly.
This is not only untrue but Flash can be horrible for users if overused.
An ideal client [I think they meant vendor -Allan] will have a CMS that is already built out and ready to plug into the system, so the only programming time will be building the outward facing presence.
Yes, the RNC wants a complete rebuild but only front-end development work can be done. And, your CMS should ready to plug in. Also, your response is due on 3/18. The large scope, the low amount of detail and the nearing deadline are all clear signs that this RFP is not exactly legitimate. Nonprofits would do well to stay away from this example and head completely in the opposite direction.
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[...] , internet opportunity, investment, online business, own a business, website, work from home Republicans Issue Terrible RFP for Their Web Site – nonprofittechblog.org 03/09/2009 Hey, what can I say? I read Redstate . It’s been fun watching [...]
Great post, thanks for putting all this information together.
Thanks, you've got a nice blog over there. Love the interview with Helen Thomas (then again, I'm a Helen Thomas fan)
That's fascinating! Thanks Allan. Having just spent nearly a year producing a 40 page RFP for ACLU of Washington, it's good to see that we're winning the myrfpisbetterthanyourrfp wars.
Thanks Sarah, I'm crossing my fingers and hope that Steele stays at least til 2012 for the Repubs. We must increase the RFP gap! But who knows??? What if they do get a kickass web site out of the RFP? I'll have a few hats to eat…
[...] Non-Profit Tech Blog… Republicans Issue Terrible RFP for Their Web Site The dialogue continues on website design! Allan Benamer does a point-by-point analysis of how not to [...]
Let's just wait and see, shall we? I, for one, am not holding my breath.
It sure is lonely, out here in conservative techland.
Ha! Not as lonely as it was for the left after 9/11. I’m sure the Republicans will have their day again. I just hope it’s not for a few more years yet and that they come back to power because they actually revamp parts of their philosophy on governing.
I find this article completely subjective. Being ambitious and vague is outside the box. If this RFP step is the first of a few back and fourths between "illusionary" wants, technical speaking and marketing, it could end having a great end result. Besides, I have never heard of a successful RFP. It's an archaic "best" (mediocre) practice and obviously is too emotional by those who feel they know a good RFP vs. those that take a stab at creating one. Bravo to at least recognizing the need for a redesign — that's most out of the box.
So, what would a good RFP example be? I'm not certain if it's all that bad if they are going through a more lengthy discovery process rather than a lengthy RFP development process. As the ACLU RFP writer mentioned, they have specific needs that they know that they have, so it's taken a year to write a 40 page requirements document. Perhaps the RNC is wanting a partnership discovery process here, I'm not sure. I'd be interested to find out what a "great" RFP is if this is a "bad" one. Anyone have thoughts on what should be included in a "great" RFP?