Sending out a Request for Proposal (RFP) should not be taken lightly. It is a crucial step in the complex process of committing to an IDP vendor.
According to Loopio’s 2025 RFP Report, organizations respond to 63% of the RFPs they receive. To be part of these 63% and to get information from a vendor that is actually helpful, you need to ask the right questions.
But what are the right questions? Don’t waste more time researching. In this blog, we tell you which information you should gather, which questions you can ask and provide you with an RFP template that you can use right away!
Key Takeaways
- A clear RFP makes it easier to get useful, comparable answers from vendors.
- Include clear requirements, pricing expectations, and security questions to avoid surprises later.
- Use open-ended questions to uncover vendor strengths, flexibility, and real-world value.
- In a hurry? Skip ahead to the step-by-step RFP template breakdown or download your free, ready-to-use RFP template below.
What is a Request for Proposal?
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is the first document that you draft before sending it to a small number of software development companies. Most likely, you shortlisted those as potentially offering a suitable solution. An RFP usually describes the context of the project, requirements that the solution should fulfill, the project timeline, and pricing models.
In general, an RFP is like a job advertisement: It announces the project and opens the door to qualified companies who can get the job done.
Once you have submitted your RFP to the vendors, they will fill in the document and answer your questions. This usually takes a couple of days, as a Request for Proposal is a detailed and extensive document.
When you receive your responses, you should be able to compare vendors and decide with which provider to go into discussion and negotiations.
What is the Goal of the RFP?
The main goal of the RFP is to discover which vendors are able to meet the service, support, and technical requirements for your project. Therefore, the result of the Request for Proposal should not be a lot of text but concise information that is comparable.
That way, the responses of vendors become measurable. Choosing the right Intelligent Document Processing solutions is challenging, so make it as easy as possible for yourself.
The question is, though, why would you make the effort to create such a complex and extensive document? What are the benefits of a Request for Proposal? Let’s find that out next.
Benefits of a Request for Proposal
Writing out an RFP and submitting it to a number of vendors before committing to a solution has its benefits. Probably, to most large firms, this is no news. But especially for small to medium-sized companies (yes, you are also allowed to submit an RFP), this section is important.
The benefits of an RFP are:
1. Helps you shortlist the right vendors
The responses to the Request for Proposal will give you a good understanding of the different vendors. Most likely, you sent an RFP to a number of vendors to find a solution that solves your problem best.
Once you receive filled-in RFPs, you are able to create a shortlist of the vendors that offer a fitting solution. Usually, that is a maximum of two or three software companies. Narrowing down the list is necessary as, timewise, it is only possible to go into discussion and negotiation with a small number of vendors.
2. In-depth information about a vendor
In order to decide which vendor can provide the best solution for you, you need to get to know the vendor as detailed as possible. The information found on the website is not sufficient. A Request for Proposal allows you to ask exactly the questions that you want to have an answer to.
The RFP should be tailored to your needs, asking the vendor to describe its solution as detailed as possible to prove that its software is the solution you need. Only in-depth information about a vendor allows you to make an informed decision.
3. It combines info, quotes, and questions in one place
In theory, a Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) are separate documents that are sent independently of the RFP. Most of the time, when an RFP is submitted, the document already includes a section that covers the questions and key points of an RFI or RFQ.
If you only require an RFI or RFQ, feel free to use parts of our template that serve as those two independent documents.
4. You receive an overview of the pricing structure
As just mentioned, an RFP often also includes the Request for Quotation. In the RFQ, the pricing structure is discussed. This gives you an overview of the expenses that are involved in implementing a certain solution.
That way, you can find out whether the offered solution fits into your budget and serves you as a basis for negotiations.
5. RFPs help meet the organizational need
A Request for Proposal doesn’t only allow a vendor to present its solution, but for you to state your organizational needs as well. Every organization has its different needs, which is why it’s especially important that you adjust the RFP template to your specific requirements.
By stating your organizational needs, the vendor can also much more easily evaluate the best way to help you. Whether it is a custom or an out-of-the-box solution.
6. RFPs provide accountability and transparency
Once written black on white, you can always fall back on it. You have a basis to discuss because suggestions, solutions, and facts have been written down.
This provides transparency over the vendor’s offer, your own needs and requirements. If something has been promised in the Request for Proposal, you can hold the vendor accountable for it. This is only possible because RFPs are written down, and they are not only verbal agreements.
7. Easy comparison between vendors
The goal of every RFP is to make it easy to compare different vendors. When a Request for Proposal is written in the right way, it allows you to compare vendors easily. This is important when you want to decide on a final vendor and saves you a lot of time in the selection process.
Ideally, you have a system in place that allows you to easily assess different solutions, making it a quick and straightforward decision.
Now that we have talked about the benefits of a Request for Proposal, we want to talk about how you actually write an RFP that provides you with workable answers.
How to Write an RFP for IDP Vendors
Writing an RFP may seem like a daunting task, but with the right structure, it becomes a powerful tool to help you select the best-fit vendor for your needs.
Below, we break down the essential components to include and offer practical guidance on how to craft each section. These key points can be taken as guidance, not as a must. You can add or leave out components according to your requirements. Make sure to adapt questions to your specific needs and only include what is relevant to your company.
Core Sections for an IDP RFP Template
When sending an RFP to Intelligent Document Processing vendors, structuring it into standard sections makes responses easier to compare and ensures vendors address all your needs.
Below are the key sections you should include, adapted to match common procurement terminology:
1. Introduction & Company Background
Provide an overview of your organization, industry, company size, and current document processing challenges. Include your mission and key business drivers for automating processes.
2. Project Goals & Scope
Clearly outline your automation objectives and measurable success criteria (e.g., reduce processing time by X%, improve accuracy to Y%). Define which document types, departments, and workflows are in scope.
3. IDP Functional & Technical Requirements
List core capabilities (data extraction, classification, validation, data enrichment) and technical needs (supported formats, AI/ML adaptability, deployment models: cloud, on‑premise, hybrid).
State your integration expectations (API access, ERP/CRM connectors, supported export formats) and security/compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO).
4. Vendor Qualifications & Experience
Request vendor profile details, years in operation, financial stability, relevant certifications, and case studies from similar projects. Ask about industry expertise, capacity to scale, and customer support structure.
5. Project Timeline
Share key dates: RFP release, Q&A period, submission deadline, evaluation window, decision announcement, and anticipated implementation start/end dates.
6. Pricing Model
Request a detailed breakdown of implementation/building costs, per‑use or subscription charges, annual maintenance, and support fees. Identify whether pricing is fixed, variable, or volume‑based.
7. Submission Guidelines
Specify acceptable formats (PDF, Word), delivery method (email, portal), and instructions on how responses should be organised. Outline any page limits or document structure preferences.
8. Evaluation Criteria
Describe how proposals will be assessed, weighting for functionality, compliance, cost, usability, and support. Share scoring methods or decision factors so vendors know what matters most to you.
In the last part of the blog, we will quickly talk about why Klippa should be included in your selection of IDP companies to send an RFP to.
Why Klippa Might Be the Right Fit for You
At Klippa, we’ve reviewed and responded to hundreds of RFPs from companies across industries and regions. That hands-on experience has shaped how we support clients, not just with answers but with real, tailored solutions that address complex document processing challenges.
That’s why we created an RFP template based on real-world scenarios, not just theory. It’s designed to save you time, reduce risk, and help you get more meaningful vendor responses.
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re actively looking for an IDP solution. Klippa DocHorizon might be just what you need. It goes far beyond basic OCR, offering features like data masking, fraud detection, and full compliance with industry security standards.
Most importantly, we’re not just a software provider. Our Customer Success Managers partner with you to ensure a smooth onboarding, help you configure solutions to your workflow, and support you every step of the way.
Want to learn more? Reach out to one of our experts or book a personalized demo below. Let’s explore what’s possible together.
FAQ
Yes, especially if you’re comparing multiple vendors. An RFP helps you organize responses, set clear expectations, and avoid miscommunication later on.
Keep it clear and focused. Most RFPs are between 5–10 pages, plus a pricing or evaluation sheet.
You can use the pricing section of our RFP template as a standalone RFQ (Request for Quotation).
Start with 3 to 5. That gives you enough options without overwhelming your review process.
Absolutely. An RFP is a helpful tool for companies of all sizes. It brings clarity, structure, and confidence to your buying decision.