How painful do you find tender and RFP compilation? In your opinion, what would make the process easier?

Many of the large established maunfactures attend trade shows, such as the Canton Import and Export Fair. The key is to look for manufactures that already supplies to established brands. Once the manufacture meets the QA standards of the large brands, their quality remains consistent regardless of the company they produce for. Most of the time the minimum order quantity they request are up for negotiation. Same for the sampling cost. Most manufactures are willing to wave the sampling cost if a production order is placed at a later time. Sourcing at the end of the day requires a lot of ground work. It takes time and effort to locate the right suppliers, visit and audit their facilities, and prices negotiate. However, this really saves money in the long term because you will have solid supply chains you can count on and trust. One way to approach this is to consolidate. Consolidate the number of suppliers, and make each sourcing trip count by finding multiple suppliers at once. Best of luck in finding the right suppliers for your products!

Give them parts of the product for free and if your product is great they will see the value in spending in you. The reality is that even free costs people time and effort, once you have provided them with value to return costing them money is not that much of a risk because they are already vested in you.

RFP is the first step towards your contact initiation and strategic partnership. Indivisual freelancers generally do not understand the the RFP, RFI and proposal lifecycles. It is a very assessment tool that you can leverage to find the right partner (or vendor or outsourcing company) for your fulfillment. If you working with designers and individual developers it usually easier to start with Quotes/Bid than RFP. RFPs can be elaborate. A great example of an what an RFP can include is at http://www.entrepreneur.com/formnet/form/1173 Now, this is rough framework. You can tailor it as needed. When you go with RFP, you will receive proposals or RFI. There are tools and techniques to address that too. Let's say you get 10 proposals. Each company with different rates, company size, geography, delivery schedules, milestones, development shop infrastructures etc... it is a daunting task to pick the right one and negotiate a contract. Hey, if you feel like talking to me on this. Let me know.. Some of things a details RFP should have Checkout this slideshare. http://www.slideshare.net/profwaynesmith/how-to-write-an-rfp-16123708 There are tons of templates available for fee or free. If you need help identifying how to tailor it, let me know..

a junior startup that received 3 MM funding is procurify (www.procurify.com)

Sourcing transparent armor involves acquiring specialized materials designed to provide ballistic protection while maintaining transparency. Here's a general overview of how the process might be done: 1. **Material Selection:** - Identify suitable transparent materials that offer ballistic resistance. Common materials include laminated glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate. - Consider the specific requirements for the application (e.g., military vehicles, security installations) and choose materials that meet those standards. 2. **Supplier Research:** - Research and identify reputable suppliers or manufacturers of ballistic-resistant transparent materials. - Consider factors such as the supplier's reputation, product quality, and adherence to industry standards. 3. **Regulatory Compliance:** - Ensure that the sourced materials comply with relevant safety and ballistic standards. This might involve meeting specific military or industry regulations. 4. **Customization:** - Work with the supplier to customize the transparent armor based on your specific needs. This could involve variations in thickness, size, and shape. 5. **Testing and Certification:** - Verify the ballistic performance of the transparent armor through rigorous testing. This may include impact tests, penetration resistance tests, and other evaluations. - Ensure that the material meets or exceeds industry standards and safety regulations. 6. **Cost Considerations:** - Evaluate the cost of the transparent armor materials and consider factors such as durability and maintenance requirements. - Obtain quotes from different suppliers and assess the overall value provided. 7. **Supply Chain Management:** - Establish a reliable supply chain to ensure a consistent and timely flow of transparent armor materials. - Consider factors such as lead times, order quantities, and contingency plans for potential disruptions. 8. **Quality Assurance:** - Implement quality control measures to ensure that each batch of transparent armor meets the specified standards. - Regularly inspect and test the installed armor to ensure ongoing effectiveness. 9. **Installation:** - Work with skilled technicians or contractors to install the transparent armor properly. This may involve specialized techniques depending on the application. 10. **Documentation and Maintenance:** - Maintain detailed documentation of the transparent armor specifications, testing results, and installation procedures. - Establish a maintenance plan to ensure the ongoing performance and longevity of the transparent armor. It's crucial to note that sourcing transparent armor is a specialized process often associated with industries such as military and security. Working with experts in materials science, engineering, and ballistic testing is essential to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of the transparent armor.