What to include in the Executive Summary of your RFP or Tender Response
Knowing what to include in the Executive Summary of your RFP or Tender Response is one of the most essential parts of developing great business proposals. It may be the only part of your response that senior members of the organisation outside of the direct evaluation group read.
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DynamicProposalsNZ has developed an easy step-by-step process and bucketloads of tips to help you. We introduce you to the latest support technology, including AI writing assistance and proposal management software, so that you can create great business proposals yourself for a fraction of the traditional time and cost.
Self-navigate through our free online resources or better still check out our online products or contact me directly for help.
Mary-Anne Webber, Founder DynamicProposalsNZ
DynamicProposalsNZ Pro Tip: don’t mistake the executive summary for an introduction to you and your business.
Here are 12 tips on what to include in the Executive Summary of your RPP or Tender response. Don’t feel you have to follow this order. It’s more important that the Executive Summary flows well into your overall RFP or tender response.
| Tip #1 Buyer acknowledgement | Show you understand the buyer and their requirements. |
| Tip #2 Opportunity acknowledgement | Show you understand the key requirements for this specific contract. |
| Tip#3 Overview of your solution | Give a short overview of your solution. |
| Tip#4 Benefits and advantages of your solution | Demonstrate why your solution is the best. |
| Tip#5 Overview of your organization | Possible inclusions: Who you are, your track record Your experience with the buyer or sector Size Key people Certifications Awards |
| Tip#6 Advantages of your organization | What is special about you? |
| Tip#7 Your organizations fit with, and commitment to, the buyer | What are the points of fit and alignment between you and the buyer? |
| Tip#8 Summary of how you meet and exceed each of the evaluation criteria | Acknowledge each of the evaluation criteria and your solution. |
| Tip#9 Confirmation that you are compliant with any requirements | Check what specific compliance has been asked for (e.g. distribution hub in New Zealand) and confirm you are compliant. |
| Tip#10 Use clear concise language and avoid jargon | See my article on writing and grammar tips for RFP and Tender responses. |
| Tip#11 Proofread your work | Make you have got the basics right. |
| Tip#12 Be Yourself | Make sure the executive summary reads like it is from you and your company. |
Thanks for taking the time to read this free DynamicProposalsNZ article. I hope it was helpful. I have written and evaluated 1,000+ business documents and hundreds of business proposals and tender responses. Let me put that experience and success to work for you. I love helping businesses put their best selves forward in bids, tenders and RFP responses. Self-navigate through my free online resources or better still check out my online products or contact us directly for help.
Mary-Anne Webber, Founder DynamicProposalsNZ
