[ Website procurement · Full playbook ]
// 11 / 20The buyer's playbook.
The working reference behind Website RFP Template Canada 2026 — Free Editable Guide: what to ask, what to watch and how to run the first 90 days.
← Back to the guide[ RFP questions ]// 01
Questions that reveal real capability.
Ask for a relevant example, the decision made, the result or learning, and the person who would own the work.
- 01What business and user outcomes must the website change?
- 02Which requirements are mandatory, preferred or exploratory?
- 03What evidence must a vendor provide for every major claim?
- 04How will accessibility be accepted and maintained?
- 05Who owns content preparation, migration and redirects?
- 06Which systems, data, privacy and security obligations apply?
- 07How will proposals be scored beyond price?
- 08What acceptance, warranty, support and exit terms protect the organization?
[ Risk ]// 02
Make failure visible before signature.
| Risk | Early warning | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Feature-list procurement | No outcome hierarchy | Tie requirements to journeys and measures |
| False price comparison | Different assumptions | Mandatory pricing schedule and exclusions |
| Late content | No inventory or owner | Content workstream and readiness gate |
| Accessibility ambiguity | WCAG named without tests | Evidence, severity and remediation SLA |
| Vendor lock-in | Accounts and code controlled externally | Ownership and transition clauses |
[ Value case ]// 03
Measure outcomes—not activity.
01Compliant proposal rateBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
02Scoring consistencyBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
03Clarification volumeBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
04Scope change after awardBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
05Acceptance defectsBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
06Time from award to kickoffBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
[ First 90 days ]// 04
Move from evidence to operating rhythm.
01
Days 1–30
Outcomes, stakeholders, discovery and procurement route
Exit evidenceBaseline, owners, approved requirements and risks
02
Days 31–60
Draft RFP, market review, scoring calibration and issue
Exit evidenceWorking outputs, evidence and decision record
03
Days 61–90
Questions, evaluation, demonstrations, references and award
Exit evidenceMeasured result, operating owner and next backlog
[ Reference desk ]// 05
Speak the same language.
| Term | Plain-language meaning |
|---|---|
| Mandatory requirement | A condition a proposal must satisfy. |
| Rated requirement | A criterion evaluated for quality. |
| Acceptance criterion | A testable condition for completion. |
| Addendum | A formal change to issued procurement documents. |
| BAFO | Best and final offer. |
| Total evaluated price | Comparable cost including required options. |
[ Playbook in hand? ]