Developing the request for proposal.

The development of a request for proposal (RFP) to computer hardware and software vendors is described. The RFP functions as a planning document, facilitating communication with a selection of vendors, contract negotiations, and development of acceptance criteria. Development of the pharmacy specifications for the RFP involves evaluating and collecting statistics on the existing manual system, planning future services to be provided by the pharmacy and the hospital, evaluating any computer systems already within the hospital, and assessing the impact of pharmacy's interaction with other departments. This information is translated into descriptions of exactly what is to be provided by computerization. The resulting RFP should include a description of the current manual or electronic data processing system. The priority of each function requested, requests for vendor-specific data, contract information, and instructions for the vendor to use in submitting a proposal. Because the RFP's purpose is to communicate unique system needs, the less specific it is written, the greater the opportunity for misinterpretation.