gfa2

Check out this request I received for a proposal on a project.
(a) Fly-throughs, depicting the architectural character of the project, the impact on the local community, both inside and outside the project boundaries. This will need to demonstrate the phasing of construction and possibly include benefits to the local community.
(b) Video representations of the fly-throughs that can be used in theaters.
(c) Brochures that can be used to provide important facts, figures, and reasons for the projects. The brochures should be colorful, exciting and fact-filled on two levels: One level would be for programming facts and explanations; and another level would be for general visitors and newspaper people.
(d) Rendering: A rendering will be required.
The rendering shall be full vignette/fully developed on heavy illustration board. Approximate finished size shall be 24" x 30" with minimum inside mat dimension of 16" x 20".
The rendering shall be at eye level view.
(e) Develop a package that centers around the model. This would include, but not be limited to videos and photographs.
This is going to be a big job, but the holes that they have left in thier request for proposal are enormous. Has anyone seen anything as loose as this? This is from a good repeat client, so I know how to deal with them, but I can't believe how wide open they left this thing.

ecastillor

Hey dude...thats not that loose if you ask me...I have a client that once asked me to do a "virtual presentation" of a gym....

Turns out he had no idea of anything...had no project or anything!...I ended up doing the architectural design itself, along whith blueprints, animation and stills....

I suggest you take your client's request and transtale it into something more palpable...maybe even show him samples of everything you are quoting, that way there will be no surprises.

Good luck, sounds like a big one!

Maxer

I wouldn’t do anything until I had specifically defined exactly what they wanted from me. If they want an animation I would want to know what the scope of that animation is, what buildings they want to see, what level of detail they are looking for, how long should it be, what camera path do they want to take. They might not know what they want exactly which is why it's up to you to define what will and won't be included.

John Dollus

This is a good example of an rfp written by an owner/developer which has been handed over to an architect/designer to use for soliciting bids. Odds are, the owner already has someone in mind for the job and that source helped them write the language. It reads as if it was written by someone very familiar with traditional marketing packages but has very little knowledge of architectural visualization. No death trap here - Ask your contact for the backstory on the rfp. If they are a good repeat customer of yours, you can probably find out a bit more before you jump in.

Jeff Mottle

The trick in ANY proposal is to either ask the questions so you DO have a clearer understanding of exactly what is being asked for, or make sure you define the limits of the project you are willing to do for the price. Communication is key! If everyone knows exactly what is being proposed for the price and the results of changes or changes in scope then there will never be any misunderstandings or room for mis-interpretations.

That having been said, provided they can not provide you any more specifics, you do need to make sure that you clearly define in either terms of time you are willing to spend on each phase or how much and in what detail you will take the model, brochures and animations. If possible reference examples of what it might be similar to. I've submitted several 10-20 page proposals detailing timelines and exactly what will be done for the price.

If they do not like it, then you can begin to negotiate the terms well in advance of starting the project.

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Jeff Mottle
CGarchitect.com