Can OpenRFP and vendors change the current procurement paradigms?
Yes. When we initiated our e-Procurement ideas, we thought it would be some time until enough libraries elected to use OpenRFP (and web-based services) over current procurement methods, that the current methods were too entrenched. Much to our surprise, of the four initial Requests processed through OpenRFP, two purchasing agencies (one public library, one academic library) suspended normal bid procurement to allow the libraries to proceed on their own, and both with declarations that once the library had made its decision, Purchasing would endorse it and do contracting. It appears that with proper coaching, institutional purchasing authorities can be convinced the libraries are sophisticated enough to do their own ground work. Furthermore, these purchasing agencies appear willing to allow libraries to proceed with RFI requests, which then can be converted to “directed purchasing”. This movement forestalls the need for vendors to complete two procurement cycles, both the informal RFI c
