Baderman Island Case

Baderman Island, market structure is a monopolistic competition simply on the grounds that it sells many kinds of products and services similar to other resort and hotel destinations. Considering that their products and services are the same with a bit of distinction tailored around their taste, style, customer service, and location etc. In general the hospitality customers disregard prices in particular with more of an interest in personal preferences.

An example in the fast food restaurant industry obtaining the necessary legal documents, permits and etc. required to open a restaurant can be established. Furthermore, open the fast food restaurant with the world famous burgers and fries similar to the one across the street doesn't matters; the food, service, style, and location matters that will make or break the restaurant.

Bederman Island Resort, is a luxurious modern resort complex, which is best adjusted to the needs of every single customer with a variety of facilities and amenities at its disposal. The Baderman has 3 world class hotels, a convention center, 4 restaurants, 2 gift shops, a pro shop and a spa. All of the business entities of the Company are owned by the Baderman Island Resort and executively managed by the Boardman Management Group, each business entity is operated independently.

Currently the Baderman is a growing tourist and recreation centre with the set priority on Total Quality Management (TQM), which is our strategic objective to be implemented. The major emphasis here is on continuous improvement and empowerment. TQM relies on fact-based decision- making when development ventures such as this one are in process. As an established resort centre with a considerable commercial potential the Baderman Resort is seeking software development proposals to provide upgraded word processing software on the basis of Microsoft Word integrating the business-fundamental four applications - Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel, and Word. The software upgrades should be aimed at high quality and superior reliability. They should likewise intend to make the applications as user-friendly as possible, and to enhance the productivity of the enterprise, as well as enable rapid response to customers Herewith the Company is also requesting professional up-to-date technical support. This request for proposal is intended to arouse professional and commercial interest with software developers. We attach big importance to outcomes which are most cost effective.

The current system(s) and software in use by Baderman are failing to meet the business needs of the organization in the following areas:

Below we present the core requirements as per the technical aspect of this request for Proposal, including details on our basic needs with regard to the present technical situation of the Company.

1. Currently have three different operating systems: (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP).

2. Correspondingly the offices have three word processing software applications: Word 98, Word 2000 and Word XP

In view of the above-mentioned technical specificities any word processing software product proposed must run on a PC-based client/server platform. The user interface must be programmed using Microsoft Windows standards, for ease of learning and using the system. The Baderman Island Resort will not consider any word processing updates that are not apt for an ODBC-compliant database, or do not use a standard Windows or browser interface for the client. Compatibility with the following operating systems and technology tools is highly desired by the Baderman:

* Windows 2003 Server

* Microsoft SQL Server 2005

* Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP

* MS Exchange 2003 for e-mail service

The proposed product must be certified or in process for certification for MS Office 2003 and 2007, Exchange and Vista compatibility. The upgrades of the word processing software products being proposed should best offer more technical capabilities.

As per the hardware requirements, they will best fulfill the specifications for the server(s) and any other PC's or equipment that will be needed to support the proposed word processing software products.

All of the costs associated with the software implementation requested in this RFP should be specified by the Proposer in advance. Normally we purchase computer hardware and operating systems independently of software purchases, thus we will not consider proposals that include hardware.

The price of the upgraded software will include the following:

* Consideration of tasks that could be performed by Baderman employees as a deduction, rather than using consultants

* Required modules/functionality and optional modules/functionality - pricing provided so that the Baderman can "pick and choose"

* Hourly consultant rates - by type of consultant, with anticipated hours by task

* Travel costs - mileage rates/ per diem rates/ company travel policies for airfare & travel times

* Complete software upgrades initially indicated

Any proposal which is not received by the Baderman Island Resort prior to the deadline date and time will not be considered. Vendors must supply five hard copies of the proposal and one electronic copy on diskette or CD.

Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the company submitting the proposal of the terms, conditions and specifications contained in this RFP, unless clearly and specifically confirmed in a subsequent contract between the Baderman and the successful vendor.

Changes to the RFP itself shall only be made by the Baderman via formal written amendments. Addenda will be provided to all vendors who are registered with the Baderman as being in possession of an official copy of the RFP document. All addenda shall become a part of the RFP document requiring response by the vendor where indicated.

Vendors shall not take advantage of any errors and/or omissions in this RFP document or in the firm's specifications submitted with their proposals.

The Baderman reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals or parts of proposals, and to waive minor defects or technicalities, solicit new proposals on the same project or on a modified project which may include portions of the original RFP as the Baderman may deem necessary, disregard all nonconforming, non-responsive, or conditional proposals,