An RFP should include information about your organization and project as well as questions that elicit differences among competing companies. Question types should include both "Yes/No" type responses as well as open-ended text questions. 

An RFP should also solicit cost quotes that allow you to determine both initial and ongoing costs of the product or service.

Before you create your RFP, take time to think of how you plan to evaluate the responses. It is far easier to create an RFP than to analyze multiple proposals in disparate formats. That's why many organizations use an automated RFP software tool, such as the ON-LINE CONSULTANT, which creates a uniform response method and automatically analyzes vendors' proposals.