Flexible data store for implementing a streamlined acquisition process
Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.
1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating a process for a buyer to make an acquisition using an interactive tool, the method comprising:
receiving, by the interactive tool, requirements for the acquisition from the buyer;
representing each of the requirements as a stored data element in a data structure associated with the interactive tool;
presenting, by the interactive tool, a request for proposal based on the stored data elements to potential vendors for the acquisition;
representing, by the interactive tool, a proposed solution to the request for proposal by at least one of the potential vendors, wherein the proposed solution links the requirements for the acquisition with one or more solutions;
providing, by the interactive tool, a notice to the at least one potential vendor when the proposed solution does not include a solution for every requirement for the acquisition;
representing each of the one or more solutions and the notice as a stored data element in the data structure associated with the interactive tool; and
providing, by the interactive tool, analysis to the buyer using the linked data elements representing the requirements for the acquisition and the proposed solution to facilitate the buyer selecting a chosen vendor for the acquisition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the requirements further includes:
accessing a library of requirements including one or more of: requirements previously used by the buyer; requirements specified by a government regulation; and standard acquisition requirements.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the requirements further includes:
providing a requirements template to the buyer via the interactive tool;
receiving a particular requirement from the buyer via the requirements template;
determining whether the particular requirement conforms to the requirements template; and
storing the particular requirement in the data structure, when the particular requirement conforms to the requirements template.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein providing the requirements template increases accuracy of the received set of requirements.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein providing the requirements template reduces time needed to receive the set of requirements.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the request for proposal further includes:
applying a standard format for displaying the request for proposal using the stored data elements.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the standard format reduces time to develop the proposed solutions.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the standard format increases accuracy of the proposed solutions.
9. The method of claim 1 , further including enabling development of proposed solutions by:
accessing a library of possible proposed solutions including at least one of: a solution previously used by one of the vendors; a solution previously accepted by the buyer; a solution specified by a government regulation; and a standard solution for the acquisition.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein linking the one or more solutions with the requirements for the acquisition includes:
alerting each vendor to the data elements representing the requirements for the acquisition; and
requiring each vendor to coordinate the one or more solutions to the data elements representing the requirements for the acquisition.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, for a primary requirement in the requirements:
receiving a solution of a vendor's proposed solution for the primary requirement;
determining, via the data structure, that the primary requirement has a related requirement;
notifying the vendor of the related requirement; and
requiring the vendor to provide a solution for the related requirement that corresponds to the solution received for the primary requirement.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
presenting, by the interactive tool, a request for additional information for the request for proposal from the buyer to the vendor.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, for a primary requirement in the requirements:
receiving a solution of a vendor's proposed solution for the primary requirement;
determining, via the data structure, that the primary requirement has a related requirement;
notifying the buyer of a missing proposed solution for the related requirement; and
requiring the vendor to provide a solution for the related requirement that corresponds to the solution received for the primary requirement.
14. A computer-implemented method for facilitating a process for a buyer to make an acquisition using an interactive tool, the method comprising:
receiving, by the interactive tool, requirements for the acquisition from the buyer;
representing each of the requirements as a stored data element in a data structure associated with the interactive tool;
presenting, by the interactive tool, a request for proposal based on the stored data elements to potential vendors for the acquisition;
representing, by the interactive tool, a proposed solution to the request for proposal by at least one of the potential vendors, wherein the proposed solution links the requirements for the acquisition with one or more solutions;
providing, by the interactive tool, a notice to the at least one potential vendor when the proposed solution does not include a solution every requirement for the acquisition;
representing each of the one or more solutions and the notice as a stored data element in the data structure associated with the interactive tool;
providing, by the interactive tool, analysis to the buyer using the linked data elements representing the requirements for the acquisition and the proposed solution to facilitate the buyer selecting a chosen vendor for the acquisition;
providing, through the interactive tool, an alert notifying the at least one potential vendor that the buyer has altered the requirements for the acquisition; and
receiving revisions to the proposed solution based on the buyer's altered requirements for acquisition.
15. The method of claim 14 , further including providing a notice to the buyer when the proposed solution does not provide a solution for every requirement for the acquisition.
16. The method of claim 14 , further including enforcing a pre-determined schedule further by allowing the buyer to control the timing of a release of comments to the one or more vendors.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the comments include at least one of: clarification requests, deficiencies notices, and discussion items.
18. A computer-implemented interactive acquisition system for enabling a buyer to make an acquisition according to a predetermined schedule, comprising:
one or more memories storing instructions; and
one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform:
receive requirements for the acquisition from the buyer;
represent each requirement as one or more data elements in a data structure;
present the requirements to potential vendors for the acquisition;
represent a proposed solution to the requirements by at least one of the potential vendors, wherein the proposed solution links the requirements for the acquisition with one or more solutions;
provide a notice to the at least one potential vendor when the proposed solution does not include a solution for every requirement for the acquisition;
represent each of the one or more solutions and the notice as a stored data element in the data structure associated with the interactive tool; and
facilitate the buyer in implementing a pre-determined schedule for selecting a chosen vendor for the acquisition from among the one or more potential vendors.
19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a library configured to:
maintain one or more requirements previously used by the buyer; and
maintain one or more proposed solutions previously used by the vendor.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to perform:
retrieve a requirement previously used by the buyer from the library; and
present the retrieved requirement to the buyer while receiving the requirements from the buyer.
21. The system of claim 19 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to perform:
retrieve a proposed solution previously used by the vendor from the library; and
present the proposed solution to the vendor while enabling development of the vendor's proposed solution.