Proposals and Confidentiality

Confidentiality of the bidders information is critical when presenting highly sensitive and proprietary information in a proposal submitted for an RFP or Tender.

Confidential information consists of: 

• Personal Privacy (resumes for employees and contractors)
• Company Information (client lists, pricing, business financials)
• Trade Secrets (proprietary processes, intellectual property)
• Other information that when placed in the wrong hands could cause damage to the bidder such as lost revenues, lost market share, and damaged reputation.

When reviewing proposals for RFP or Tender, each buyer's treatment of confidential information will vary from strict Government Procurement standards to those of private corporations.  Accordingly it is the bidder's responsibility to ensure proposal documents carry demonstratable attempts to protect confidential information.

When writing proposals, the best practice is to consider protection of confidential information throughout the document including attachments.

• Place the initial confidentiality statement as early as possible in the document to establish the priority of confidentiality to the reader.  Ideally immediately after the cover page. This statement explains the bidders expectations of confidentiality and outlines the approval process for exceptions.
• The word Confidential should appear on each page of the proposal, in either the footer or the header.
• For information considered to be highly confidential, such as proprietary processes, approach and methodologies, and intellectual property, place a strict confidentiality statement at the top of each page containing sensitive information.

Always seek guidance from a legal professional when submitting confidential information in a proposal.

REQUEST INFORMATION