A Manufacturing Execution System RFP Template Example

The editors at Solutions Review have compiled this example Manufacturing Execution System RFP template to help your organization select the best enterprise software for its business needs.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions are closely related to the manufacturing and distribution industries. While there are different solutions for both verticals, sometimes you need a solution tailor-made to a unique use case. For example, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), as defined by Gartner, is a “specialist class of production-oriented software” that help businesses monitor and synchronize the execution of the real-time physical processes used in turning raw materials into intermediate or finished goods.

However, choosing the right MES for your business can be daunting. One way to simplify the process is by using a request for proposal (RFP) template to solicit proposals from potential vendors. In addition to streamlining the vendor selection process, an RFP template can help you standardize your requirements and evaluation criteria, making comparing proposals from different vendors easier. It can also help ensure you don’t overlook critical requirements or considerations when evaluating solutions. With that in mind, the Solutions Review editors have compiled an example ERP RFP template to help you and your team get started.

A Manufacturing Execution System RFP Template Example

1. Introduction and Background: This section should provide a brief overview of your company, its history, manufacturing capabilities, and goals. Additionally, outline the purpose of the RFP and the objectives you aim to achieve by implementing an MES solution.
2. Scope of Work: In this section, outline the project scope clearly. Specify the key functionalities and capabilities you expect the MES system to have, such as production scheduling, material tracking, quality management, reporting, and analytics.
3. Functional Requirements: List the essential features and functionalities you require from the MES system. These often include shop floor management, production reporting, quality management, analytics tracking, inventory management, and integration capabilities with the other systems your company is using, including ERP, industrial automation, and other industry-specific platforms.
4. Technical Requirements: Provide detailed technical requirements that the MES system must fulfill. For example, you should outline the deployment options your company requires (i.e., on-premise, cloud-based, hybrid) alongside the platform’s scalability, security, and data recovery features.
5. Vendor Information: Ask the potential vendors you speak with for their company profile, which should cover their experience in the MES market, client testimonials, references, the post-implementation support options they offer, and relevant information about software updates and maintenance agreements.
6. Project Timeline: Request a detailed timeline for the MES implementation process, including estimated durations for each phase of the process, including system setup, data migration, testing, and user training.
7. Pricing and Cost Breakdown: Request information on the vendor’s pricing model. They should provide transparent breakdowns of any licensing, subscription, implementation, training, support, and maintenance fees that could occur during or after the project is completed.
8. Contractual Terms and Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Also inquire about the contractual terms and pay special attention to any termination clauses, intellectual property rights, and data ownership specifics. Other things to ask about include details on SLAs related to system availability, performance, and security.
9. Evaluation Criteria: From here, you can take some time to provide the vendor with information on the evaluation criteria your team will use to assess their proposals. Highlight the key factors, such as functionality, cost, vendor experience, and support services.
10. Submission Guidelines: Specify the format and deadline for proposal submissions. Provide guidelines on the required documentation, such as company profiles, technical specifications, and implementation plans.