Free RFP Template: Download and Customize for Any Industry
Get a free, ready-to-use RFP template that works for IT, construction, marketing, and more. Includes sections, scoring criteria, and best practices.
Writing a request for proposal from scratch is time-consuming. You need to define requirements, structure questions, set evaluation criteria, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. A good template eliminates that blank-page problem and gives you a proven starting point.
What makes a good RFP template
The best RFP templates share a few characteristics:
- Clear structure. Sections are logically organized so vendors know exactly what you need.
- Weighted scoring. Every question has a defined weight, making evaluation objective and consistent.
- Adaptability. The template works across industries with minimal customization.
- Professional tone. Language is specific enough to get useful responses without being unnecessarily restrictive.
Essential RFP sections
Every RFP should include these core sections:
1. Project overview
Describe the procurement need in 2-3 paragraphs. Include your organization's background, the problem you're solving, and any constraints (budget, timeline, regulatory).
2. Scope of work
Define exactly what you need delivered. Be specific about deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria. Vague scope leads to vague proposals.
3. Vendor qualifications
Ask about relevant experience, certifications, team composition, and references. This is where you filter vendors who can actually do the work from those who just say they can.
4. Technical requirements
List specific technical specifications, compatibility needs, security requirements, and integration points. For IT and software RFPs, this section often makes or breaks vendor selection.
5. Pricing and commercial terms
Request detailed pricing breakdowns: implementation costs, recurring fees, support tiers, and any volume-based pricing. Ask vendors to itemize so you can compare apples to apples.
6. Timeline and milestones
Outline key dates: RFP response deadline, evaluation period, vendor selection, project kickoff, and major milestones. Realistic timelines get better responses.
7. Evaluation criteria
Tell vendors how you'll score their responses. Transparency here leads to higher-quality submissions because vendors know what matters most.
Industry-specific considerations
IT and software
Focus on security certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001), uptime SLAs, data migration plans, and integration with your existing stack. Include questions about disaster recovery and data ownership.
Construction and facilities
Emphasize safety records, insurance coverage, bonding capacity, and references from similar-scale projects. Ask for detailed project timelines with Gantt charts.
Marketing and creative services
Request portfolio samples, case studies with measurable results, and details about the team who will actually work on your account. Ask about their process for revisions and approvals.
Consulting and professional services
Focus on methodology, team qualifications, knowledge transfer plans, and how they measure engagement success. Ask for similar engagement references.
Skip the template and use AI instead
Templates are a starting point, but they still require significant customization. Strutter takes a different approach: describe what you need in plain language, and AI generates a complete RFP with structured sections, weighted questions, and scoring criteria tailored to your specific procurement.
No template editing. No copying and pasting. Just describe your need and get a professional RFP in minutes.
Try Strutter free. No credit card required.