Be clear with your RFP for 2024
Is your Lawncare RFP or SOW unclear?
As we sit here in October, here are a few more questions and updates to ask as before you make an expensive decision for 2024.
As you look ahead to 2024, is it time to make the change? Looking back at 2023 between record heat and record floods your lawns will need help not only this fall but into 2024 as well. Are you adjusting the scope, adapting to the change? This is the perfect time to take a moment and review your RFP. As you prepare to send out the next RFP/SOW for the lawncare, have you reviewed the specifications you are asking for recently? Or are you using the same confusing scope of work and hoping next year will be different. It may be the reason the prices are coming back are “all over” and you cannot conduct a true comparison.
If your exterior maintenance RFP or SOW is hard to understand what is the cost to you and your team? Did you know that if your ‘ask “is unclear the typical result could be misunderstanding of your service expectations, multiple response interpretations, leaving you to try and make “apples to oranges” comparison of the bids you do receive, and in the end delivering less than stellar results and more. All leading to potentially additional expenses and "double the work" as you may need to rebid the work, pay for the missing services due to the confusing service expectations, replacement costs, not to mention the effect on satisfaction scores, and more.?
How specific are you in your “ask” regarding the Lawncare services?
If you are asking for fertilization, weed control etc. in your RFP,?do you know the grass type you have on your properties? Is the scope of work you are providing match what is required of the turf you have? What weed control are the respondents recommending? Is it?correct weed control for the challenges you are having? What is the Ph of your soil? Are you asking for these answers? Not knowing many of these answers and more will lead to confusing interpretations of your RFP, less than stellar results, complaints, weeds and more in 2024. At TruGreen National Accounts we can help.
If you are asking the respondents to use their “best” judgement to determine the lawncare services needed, the materials, rates, results, and prices will vary so much, you may be unable to determine the value and your properties will?suffer. At TruGreen National Accounts we can help.
Have you experienced any of these results from your RFP?
The quotes/proposals you receive are too low (low bid): Respondents price low and make assumptions that they will cover any “confusing” areas with additional charges for services not defined. Unbudgeted costs!
The quotes/proposals you receive are too high: Other respondents “bid high” to be sure they cover their costs or risk for any unclear request in the RFP but know that the expectation will be there. Over budget!
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No Bids: Not receiving any responses or less than you were expecting. If the SOW is too confusing many companies may just pass, wait for you to come to them after poor results etc. More expense!
With a confusing or unclear SOW/RFP what seems clear, may really be unclear.
So, you can see that details do matter if you want a true comparison of the best value and expense management of your lawncare spend. One simple step can help, take one more look at the SOW or RFP you are working with, can it be clearly understood? If it can be, your decision and results will be clearer as well.
With more than 50 years of experience, we can help create and provide the correct lawn program for your properties. Let us help take this portion of your landscape RFP off your plate and keep the worry away. Imagine one strategic lawncare partner to handle the science-side of the landscaping across your portfolio.
We can help.
Let's talk,
EJ Martinez
National Accounts Director
TruGreen National Accounts