Clearer RFPs.
Better vendor decisions.
Procurement advisory for nonprofits, public agencies, and small organizations that need outside expertise — without the overhead.
I help organizations issue request for proposals that vendors can actually respond to well — with clear scopes, fair evaluation criteria, and documentation that holds up. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining a draft, I can help you get it right.
Hourly advisory support or project-based engagements — discuss what works for you.
Practical support across the full procurement process
Each engagement is different. Some clients need a full RFP drafted from scratch; others have a draft that needs tightening before it goes out. I work at whatever stage you are.
RFP Drafting
Full RFP documents drafted from scratch or built around your existing notes and requirements. Includes background, scope of work, submission instructions, and required attachments.
Scope Development
Translating program goals or operational needs into a clear, bounded scope vendors can actually price. Avoids the vague language that leads to misaligned bids and difficult comparisons.
Evaluation Criteria & Scorecard Design
Structured evaluation frameworks with defined criteria, weighting, and scoring guidance. Designed so reviewers can assess proposals consistently and document their reasoning.
Proposal Review & Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of submitted proposals against your evaluation criteria. Documented summaries that support internal review, board presentations, or audit trails.
Vendor Q&A & Addenda Support
Managing questions from prospective vendors, drafting addenda, and issuing clarifications in a way that keeps the process fair, consistent, and defensible.
Procurement Process Guidance
Advisory support for organizations without dedicated procurement staff. I help you understand what a sound process looks like and keep things on track from start to award.
Exactly what I can help with
Most organizations issuing an RFP have the right instincts — they just need someone to help them translate those instincts into a document that works. That is where I come in.
I work best with teams that want a clean, defensible process and do not need hand-holding on basics — just a sharp outside perspective on the document and the workflow.
Need help tailoring an RFP? Email me.Ask about hourly or project-based engagements.
Free RFP Starter Kit
Not sure where to begin? I have put together a straightforward starter kit for organizations issuing an RFP for the first time — or looking to improve on their last one. It is practical and unglamorous, which is exactly what it should be.
Send me an email and I will send the kit directly to your inbox. If you have a specific RFP you are working on, mention it — I am happy to point you toward the most useful parts.
Christian Steiner
Independent Procurement Consultant
I am an independent consultant focused on RFP development and procurement advisory for organizations that do not have a dedicated procurement function. My clients are typically nonprofits, public agencies, community organizations, and small government offices that need an outside hand to help them run a clean, well-documented selection process.
My background is in operations and program management, with particular depth in documentation, process design, and vendor-facing communications. I have spent time on both sides of the procurement table — drafting scopes and RFPs for clients, and helping vendor teams understand and respond to them. That two-sided experience shapes how I approach every engagement.
What I do is not complicated in theory, but it requires precision and consistency in practice. A good RFP tells a vendor exactly what you need, how you will evaluate them, and what the process will look like. It leaves little room for misinterpretation and a lot of room for good vendors to show their work.
I work directly with clients — no subcontractors, no account managers, no project management overhead. If you hire me, you are working with me.
A straightforward process
Every engagement is different, but the underlying logic is consistent. I help you move from a procurement need to a well-documented, defensible process.
Understand the procurement need
We start with a conversation about what you are trying to accomplish — the project, the program, the service you need to source. I want to understand the organizational context, not just the document.
Clarify scope and requirements
I work with you to define exactly what the vendor should deliver, what is out of scope, what qualifications matter, and what constraints (budget, timeline, geography) will shape the field of respondents.
Draft or refine the RFP package
Depending on where you are starting, I either draft the full document or work through a structured review of your existing draft — flagging gaps, improving language, and building out evaluation materials.
Support review and decision-making
Once proposals arrive, I can help your team score them, compare them, and document the selection rationale. I stay available through addenda, questions, and award if needed.
Email me with a brief description of what you are working on.
Let's talk about your RFP
I work with clients on hourly advisory engagements and scoped project-based support. Whether you need a full RFP drafted, a draft reviewed, or just a focused conversation about your procurement process — email is the fastest way to reach me.
csteinerconsulting.com · christian@csteinerconsulting.com · Independent Procurement Advisory