Sample Request for Proposal (RFP) for Screening Services
This is a sample RFP provided by Employment Screening Resources (www.ESRcheck.com  ) to assist employers, Human Resources and Security Professionals in selecting a provider for employment screening services.
A formated version is available at:  http://www.esrcheck.com/backgroundscreeningrfp.php

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Dear Service Provider,
You are invited to submit a proposal for providing our firm with pre-employment background screening services. Please submit all responses directly to the following address:

{Place your contact person, company name, company address and telephone number here}

Please note the following:
All proposals must be received by the followings date: ________________

All bids must be submitted in writing. Faxes are not accepted.
Employer reserves the right to accept or reject any bid in its sole discretion and is not obligated to choose to lowest bid.
Proposals must remain valid for a period of 180 days.
Please direct all questions and comments to the person indicated above only.
Communication with any other individual may be considered grounds for disqualification.
The bid will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
Price
Proven Ability to meet needs
Turnaround time commitment
Customer service
Supplier Personal
Understanding of legal requirements
Infrastructure, including the system for tracking and reporting
Ease of reading screening reports
Additional services provided
Quality and completeness of product provided
Knowledge of the process involved
Sample Request for Proposal For Screening Services

I. Services offered

Indicate if you provide following services, describe them and your methodologies:
County felony and misdemeanor records
Credit Reports
Social Security traces
Driving records
Federal Records
Employment verification
Education verification
Professional license
Sexual Offender search
Terrorist databases
International criminal searches
International employment and education verification
Others
Do you utilize the services of any subcontractors to fulfill criminal record searches,
or any other search? If so, identify the methods used including quality control procedures..
Do you use databases for any searches? If so, please describe:
The nature of the database
Any limitations on the usage of the database
Any legal compliance issues, such as FCRA Section 613
Please describe any quality control procedures you follow to insure accuracy in your reporting
of results.
Does your firm have national capabilities? Describe.
Does your firm have international capabilities? Describe.
Describe your quality control procedures.

II. Turnaround Time

What is your turnaround time for each of the services above?
Describe your methodology to ensure turnaround time of reports.
Are you able to generate turnaround time reports for each order that is placed
and for each search conducted?
Do you notify employers if there is a delay and how long?
Is there a performance guarantee?

III. Reporting Format and Technology

Describe the software or online system utilized by your firm.
How does an employer send an order to your firm?
How is an employer informed of results?
How is an employer kept advised of status?
What protection do you provide to keep customers limited to their candidate’s data only.
Please describe your ability to integrate with Applicant Tracking Systems or HR Information Systems.
Please describe your ability to accept online candidate consents.
Please provide a sample report.

IV. Legal Compliance

Describe your understanding of the laws that govern pre-employment screening
and your methodology for compliance with those laws.
How does your firm keep updated on applicable federal and state laws affecting employment screening?
Do you maintain a guide to applicable laws in all 50 states?
Describe what assistance you will give us, if any, in legal compliance.
Describe how you keep your clients updated on important legal changes.
If there is a criminal case found, who determines if it is reportable and describe the methodology used to determine whether it is reportable.?

V. Privacy and Security

Does your firm have a Privacy and Data Security policy? If so, please provide
Describe your security and data protection practices, including any third party certifications
Does your firm send Personal and Identifiable Information (PII) outside of the United States for either for domestic or international screening? If so, please describe in detail.
How do you vet new clients to ensure your services are in compliance with the FCRA? Does your firm utilize any home based workers who have access to (PII) about an applicant? If so, describe the process and describe how personal and identifiable applicant information is protected.
Does your firm utilize home operators to complete employment and education verifications? If so, describe the process and describe how personal and identifiable applicant information is protected.

VI. Customer Service

Do you provide any customer training or continuing education? If so, please describe.
Do you provide an account executive that will handle our account?
Do you have an internal trouble ticket system.? If so, describe how it works.
If there is not a trouble ticket system, describe your internal methodology to insure that customer service issues are addressed in a timely manner and that there is follow-through.
Describe your problem escalation procedures in the event of a service issue.

VI. About Your Firm

Please describe the background and experience of your firm.
Please provide a short biography of the principals of your firm.
Do you require a contract?
Describe your account set-up procedures.
Are there set-up fees?
Can we set up a customized screening program?
How do you handle billing an employer with multiple locations, or different departments?
Do your have errors and omissions issuance? Describe.
Please list representative clients.
Please list three references. To the extent possible, choose references
that have needs similar to our firm. Please provide full contact information.
Is your firm a member of the trade association for background firms (NAPBS)?
If not a member, do you certify that you adopt and agree with their goals and standards?
Has your firm reviewed the proposed accreditation guidelines for NAPBS?
Is your firm in compliance with the proposed NAPBS Accreditation guidelines? If not, please indicate in detail where your firm is not in compliance, steps being taken to be in compliance or why such compliance should not be a factor in this RFP.
Describe how you train your employees.
Describe how you keep your employees updated on legal issues effecting screening.

VII. Pricing

Please provide pricing for each item listed above.
Do you have any package plans? Please describe.
Are there any other costs or expenses we should know about?

VIII. Other advantages

Are there any other advantages in selecting your firm?