{"id":"sales-rfp-clarifying-questions-five-checklist","audience":"sales","category":"sales-work","technique":"context","track":"sales","level":"intermediate","title":"Draft five RFP clarifying questions about the gaps in the document","free":false,"task":"Draft the clarifying questions to submit before the RFP deadline. Write exactly 5 lines starting with \"- [ ]\", each a question that cites the RFP section number and targets a specific ambiguity from the notes. Each question is under 25 words, asks for clarification (never states the answer), and does not reveal our strategy or pricing. Plain text.","materialLabel":"RFP ambiguity notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"RFP: Harbor County Schools, transportation-scheduling software, response due Dec 4 2026; clarifying questions due Nov 13.\n\nAmbiguities found:\n- Section 2.3 says 'real-time vehicle tracking' but does not say if it means GPS updates every 30 seconds or on demand.\n- Section 3.1 asks for 'integration with existing systems' without naming them.\n- Section 4.2 gives the number of students as 'about 12,000' in one place and 11,400 in Appendix B.\n- Section 5.4 does not say whether pricing should include hardware.\n- Section 6.1 says 'implementation within 90 days' but doesn't say from what event (award or contract signature).\n- Section 7.2 evaluation weights are blank for 'support'.\n\nOur strategy (do not reveal): we are strong on tracking; we lack a native integration with their student system; we plan to bid at the low end.","rules":[{"type":"maxBullets","max":5},{"type":"plainText"}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Revealing strategy","why":"The AI mentions our lack of integration or low bid.","fix":"Add: \"Don't reveal strategy, gaps or pricing.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"No section citations","why":"The AI writes generic questions.","fix":"Add: \"Cite the section number.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Stating answers","why":"The AI writes 'Please confirm that tracking means GPS every 30 seconds'.","fix":"Add: \"Ask for clarification; don't state the answer.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Wrong count or length","why":"The AI writes 8 long questions.","fix":"Add: \"Exactly 5 lines under 25 words.\"","checks":["r1","maxBullets","plainText"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Uses the checkbox format","patterns":["- \\[ \\]","checklist"]},{"label":"Cites sections","patterns":["section","number"]},{"label":"Targets the ambiguities","patterns":["ambigu","specific"]},{"label":"Bans strategy and answers","patterns":["strategy","pricing","state the answer"]},{"label":"Limits count and length","patterns":["5 lines","five","under 25"]}],"hint":"Give the checkbox format, cite sections, target ambiguities and ban strategy and answers.","rubricLabels":["Has exactly 5 lines, each starting with \"- [ ]\" and citing a section number from the notes","The questions target five of the stated ambiguities (tracking frequency 2.3, named systems 3.1, student count 4.2 versus Appendix B, hardware in pricing 5.4, the 90-day start event 6.1 or blank support weight 7.2)","Each question asks for clarification without stating the answer and reveals nothing about our strategy, missing integration or bid price"]}