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List the mandatory RFP requirements with section numbers

Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You're deciding whether to bid on a county RFP for staff scheduling software. You want exactly 5 numbered lines, one per mandatory requirement (the "must" items only, not "should" or "may"), each under 15 words and ending with its section number. Apply Addendum 1 where it changes a requirement, use only the RFP text, and output nothing else in plain text.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Mixing must and should. The AI lists every requirement it finds, so optional items look mandatory. Try: Say: "Only 'must' items. Skip 'should' and 'may'."
  • Missing the addendum. The changes come after the main text, so the AI often copies the original numbers and dates. Try: Add: "Apply Addendum 1 where it changes a section."
  • Getting a bid opinion. The AI notices your 1,500-account limit and starts advising whether to bid. Try: Say: "Output only the 5 lines, no opinion."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 5 numbered lines."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in your bid checklist. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for must items only
  • Applies the addendum
  • Asks for section numbers
  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for plain text

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