A beginner-safe RFP pack to get comparable bids for circuits, internet, mobile, and managed network services—without vendor confusion or hidden assumptions.

Primary outcomes:

• Cost reduction: forces comparability and pricing transparency
• Risk mitigation: clarifies SLAs, install timelines, and contract traps (auto‑renew/ETF)
• Carbon impact: not applicable

Beginner truth: Telecom bids are “incomparable” because the buyer didn’t force a standard format. This pack fixes that.

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When to use this pack

• renewal within 6–9 months
• multi-site or multi-service telecom sprawl
• persistent billing errors or outages
• you suspect you’re overpaying for bandwidth/lines

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Step-by-step RFP process (simple)

Step 1 — Create a data room (minimum viable)

Include:

• Telecom inventory export (circuits/lines/services)
• last 3 months invoices
• site addresses + install constraints
• known renewal dates + notice windows (if known)

Step 2 — Issue the RFP with a mandatory pricing template

No custom formats. No PDFs without the template.

Step 3 — Evaluate with the scorecard

Price isn’t everything. Install risk and service performance matter.

Step 4 — Decision memo + negotiation plan

Lock terms, then implement and verify first invoices.

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Templates (copy/paste)

1) RFP Cover Note

Copyable template (TEXT)
Copy
Telecom RFP Cover Note

We are requesting proposals for telecom services across the attached site list and inventory.
All vendors must respond using the included pricing templates.
Responses that do not use the template may be rejected.

Key evaluation areas:
- total cost
- SLA/service performance
- install timeline and implementation plan
- contract terms (auto-renew, escalators, termination)
- reporting and billing transparency

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2) Requirements Checklist (telecom)

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3) Pricing Template — Circuits/Internet

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4) Pricing Template — Mobile

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5) Pricing Template — Managed Network (optional)

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6) Contract Terms Checklist (telecom “gotchas”)

Copyable template (TEXT)
Copy
Telecom Contract Terms Checklist

- Auto-renew: Y/N (if yes, exact notice window)
- Price escalator: fixed % / index / none (caps/floors?)
- Early termination fees: clear schedule provided
- Disconnect process and timing defined
- Billing disputes window and process defined
- SLA credits: clearly defined and claimable
- Service-level reporting requirements
- Assignment/subcontracting rules
- Data access and portal rights

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7) Evaluation Scorecard

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8) Decision Memo (one page)

Copyable template (TEXT)
Copy
Telecom Decision Memo

Scope:
Shortlist vendors:
Normalized total cost comparison:
Key risks and mitigations:
Recommended vendor(s):
Key terms to negotiate:
Implementation plan summary:
Owner:
Decision date:

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Related resources (guaranteed to exist)

• RFP Creation + Evaluation Playbook (rfp-creation-evaluation-playbook)
• Supplier Consolidation Decision Kit (supplier-consolidation-decision-kit)
• Telecom and Connectivity Cost Control Starter Kit (telecom-connectivity-cost-control-starter-kit)
• Change Order Governance and Budget Protection Playbook (change-order-governance-budget-protection-playbook)
• Savings Realization Proof System (savings-realization-proof-system)

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Definition of Done

• vendors submit in the same pricing format
• bids are comparable and decision is documented
• contract traps are identified before signing
• implementation and first-bill validation are planned