01
18+
Years of cross-disciplinary experience across strategy, design, and technology.
Vendor Evaluation and RFP
You need to bring in an agency or technology vendor, and the proposals on the table are difficult to compare. The scope descriptions vary, the pricing structures are inconsistent, and you can’t confidently tell which vendor will actually deliver what they’re promising.
That’s a procurement gap. The business knows what it needs, but nobody on the team has the experience to run a proper vendor evaluation. I handle the full process, from requirements definition and RFP drafting through to proposal evaluation and a clear recommendation.
What this covers
I take vendor evaluation work in the areas where I have direct delivery experience: web development, UX and design, technical SEO, product development, and technology platform selection. The process covers everything from defining requirements to recommending a partner.
Scoping
Requirements definition
Translating business goals into a clear brief that vendors can respond to meaningfully.Evaluation criteria
Defining what matters most and how proposals will be compared.Vendor landscape
Identifying credible vendors or platforms based on the requirements and context.
Evaluation
Proposal review
Assessing vendor responses against defined criteria, comparing approaches, and flagging risks.Technical assessment
Evaluating capability, platform fit, and integration with the existing stack.Due diligence
Verifying vendor claims through references, case studies, and independent review.
Selection
Recommendation
Presenting a documented recommendation with reasoning so the decision is defensible.Transition planning
Defining onboarding steps, timelines, and success criteria after selection.Governance guidance
Establishing how future vendor relationship will be managed and reviewed.
Process
How I work
This is a focused engagement, typically two to four weeks. I work directly with whoever is making the procurement decision, whether that’s the founder, a department head, or a project sponsor.
Vendor invitations come from the client. I help define who to approach, but the outreach stays on your side to keep the process clean. If you need suggestions, I can recommend vendors I’ve encountered through my own work, clearly flagged as recommendations rather than referrals. I don’t take commissions or referral fees. My only interest is that the business makes the right choice.
02
100%Client return rate. Every client that needed further work came back.
Who this is for
For businesses about to commit budget to a vendor and wanting an independent view first.
Can't evaluate the proposals
Vendor responses sound convincing, but you don't have the technical background to assess what's realistic and what's oversold.
Got burned before
A previous agency or vendor didn't deliver. You want proper due diligence before committing budget again.
No procurement process for digital
You've never run this kind of vendor selection before and need someone who knows what to look for.
High stakes, limited visibility
The investment is significant and choosing the wrong partner would cost the business real time and money.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take commissions or referral fees from vendors?
No. I have no commercial relationships with any agency, vendor, or technology partner. My recommendations are based entirely on what’s right for the business. That’s the point of bringing in someone independent.
Do you handle the full RFP process or only the evaluation stage?
I can do either. If you don’t have a brief or RFP, I help define the requirements and draft one. If you already have proposals in hand, I step in at the evaluation stage. The scope adapts to where you are in the process.
Can you stay involved after we've chosen a vendor?
Yes. If you need someone to oversee deliverables, review quality, or manage milestones with the chosen vendor, that can be arranged through a retained or project-based engagement. Clients find this valuable during the first project with a new partner.
How long does a vendor evaluation engagement take?
Typically two to four weeks, depending on the number of vendors being evaluated and the complexity of the requirements. The process is structured so that it reaches a clear recommendation within that timeframe.
Not sure where to start?
If you know something needs to change but aren't sure which service fits, that's normal. Most engagements start with a conversation. Tell me what's going on and I'll tell you what I think would help.