[15022] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Short window for RFP
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jim Rosaschi)
Thu Dec 11 20:03:14 2003
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 08:22:13 -0800
From: Jim Rosaschi <jimros@SONOMA.LIB.CA.US>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-to: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
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(note: I am cross posting this to pacs_l and syslib.)
David:
With a three week deadline, I suggest you somehow shift the scope of
what will be completed in that time to something less than a full-blown
RFP for a system your size.
A quick glance at the resources I recommend might indicate why I sound
skeptical.
Library Technology Reports periodically targets an issue on this, and
includes a sample RFP. I see one was in the Nov-Dec 1999 issue. There
may be a newer one.
Much of the technology planning information in recent PLA and ALA books
can be helpful.
For general information and sample RFPs see:
http://www.ilsr.com/sample.htm
(Note: this site has dead links, but is still useful.)
For a consortia actual RFP see:
http://www.mnlink.org/vendor-select/rfp2000/rfp2000.htm
For incorporation of standards into the RFP and the need to incororate
them early see:
http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/RFP_Writers_Guide.pdf
For a digest of the process generally see:
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Library_Tech/Autoplan.htm
For a list of library automation consultants see:
http://www.libraryhq.com/consultants.html
and
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/techcons/
and
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Library_Tech/ConsultList.htm
If we were having a casual conversation, and you asked my opinion, I
would suggest hiring a consultant immediately, and begin to figure how
your director will explain plans to create an RFP without conducting a
needs assessment, getting staff input, or including community needs in
the process.
If nothing else, hire a consultant for a one hour phone consultation
with your director, yourself and the consultant for the purpose of
reviewing your initial steps into the process. As the technical
consultant for your library system (Manitoba, right?) you are in the
best postion to help the director create a credible process.
We hired Dick Boss for our process a couple of years ago, and it was
very useful. Many others have followed a similar process in making the
huge decision of system replacement or upgrade.
Good luck.
Jim Rosaschi
Sonoma County Library
Santa Rosa, California
Jim Rosaschi
Manager, Technical Services
Sonoma County Library
Santa Rosa, California 95404
(707) 545-0831 x544
jimros@sonoma.lib.ca.us
>>> David Christensen <DChristensen@WESTMAN.WAVE.CA> 12/09/03 09:29AM
>>>
Hi all,
I've just gotten permission to build an RFP for a new ILS - but it has
to be
finished in three weeks (three weeks! If I understand correctly, one
would
normally have a couple of *months* to put one together). I've never
done an
RFP before.... and I was hoping I could get some tips and/or pitfalls
to
watch out for :-)
Just to give you an idea - our current ILS holds 1.7 million records,
and is a
union catalogue of about 90 rural public libraries (plus our central
collection of about 120,000 books).
I'm new to the list here.... I've took a quick look through the
archives, but
nothing lept out at me :-)
Any thoughts on where I should start?
-David Christensen
