Dear All,

I represent a startup venture providing services in ISO 9001 Consulting. however to improve the standard of our proposal, i am seeking your help. if you could kindly provide me with some resources on templates for ISO 9001 Consulting Proposals or if you could provide me with the files.

looking forward to your help

Thnx and regards

Keta

:thanx:l

You want an example of a contract for you to present to a company for you to assist them in implementing ISO 9001?

Dear All,

I represent a startup venture providing services in ISO 9001 Consulting. however to improve the standard of our proposal, i am seeking your help. if you could kindly provide me with some resources on templates for ISO 9001 Consulting Proposals or if you could provide me with the files.

looking forward to your help

Thnx and regards

Keta

:thanx:l

Namaste (Greetings) and welcome to the Cove Keta :bigwave:

Being a weekend the response at the Cove is much slower than weekdays and hence you may have to wait until the beginning of the next week for responses.

Until then, you can use SEARCH functions and browse through various informative posts in the Cove. Pl do write your responses to posts that you can contribute.

:)

Here you go:

1. Here's what we can do

2. Here's what it will cost.


Keep it simple.

Here you go:

1. Here's what we can do

2. Here's what it will cost.


Keep it simple.

Good advice, but I would change it a bit:

Here's what we will do
Here's what you have to do
Here's what it will cost.And rather than relying on a template downloaded from the Internet, it should be written by a lawyer.

Good advice, but I would change it a bit:
Here's what we will do
Here's what you have to do
Here's what it will cost.And rather than relying on a template downloaded from the Internet, it should be written by a lawyer.Not just by any lawyer, but one who is experienced in dealing with contracts that do not SCARE the prospective client. Instructions to the lawyer should be "write this in plain language that will not run up lawyer fees for the client to understand the document, BUT make sure each side has a fair escape clause if things don't work out."

It is important to pay attention to Jim's item 2:
The client needs to cooperate in helping the consultant spread a Quality culture that benefits the business first and (almost incidentally) fulfills the ISO Standard..

Wes's note:
The consultant probably will have the best chance of success if he helps the client understand the QMS is part of, not separate from, the Business Management System.

And rather than relying on a template downloaded from the Internet, it should be written by a lawyer.

They often use templates too.

Stijloor.

Here you go:

1. Here's what we can do

2. Here's what it will cost.

Keep it simple.
Ah, if we could only make things as simple as that. Your #1 is wrong. You have to quote what you will do, not what you can do. Sounds simple, but the reality is each of the two line items you cite (personally, I always did a breakout of the main costs/fees) would contain a number of sub-clauses. It is not simple to write up a quote. In part content will depend upon the scope of the job, not to mention specifics of the company.

You do want to ensure you have some type of disclaimer to address what will happen if the company does not follow your plan / advice. I've been in a number of situations with companies where for one reason or another (often a lack of resources) the company did not keep moving with the plan. I'd visit and check things out and find absolutely nothing had happened since I was last there. A good thread which somewhat relates to this is: As a consultant, have you ever fired a client? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=23402). The next thing you know, the client is mad because the project is running late and they tend to blame the consultant when it's their own fault. Over the years I have 'quit' several clients where the upper management that I was dealing with did not (in my opinion) have their eyes open.

When you do a quote, take your time and put in enough details so everyone knows what is expected, as well as exactly what you will provide. Include a project plan. I used to use Microsoft's Project software. For example, some of my clients wanted me to wrap training into the quote. Some wanted internal auditor training. Some wanted Introduction to ISO 9001 for Employees and Managers training. For things like that you have to know how many people they'll want trained because of things like printing costs of course booklets.

I'll try to find a quote somewhere if I can dig one up before the first of the week to post as an example, but remember that every company / job is different. You can use a template for starting out, but it takes work to put together a good quite, and it is very rarely a simple job in and of its self.

They often use templates too.

Stijloor.

I use a power saw.

Neurosurgeons use power saws.

Therefore, I can saw peoples' heads open.

I am not joining this discussion. :notme:

Certain things, known as tools of the trade are identified with certain professions – such as the sushi master and his collection of sushi knives or the Financial Planner and his HP 12C calculator.

For a Business Consultant, good templates to produce business proposals are part of the tools of the trade. While serving as trainees or during the course of one’s work, one would have come across poorly as well as well written business proposals. The serious or proactive ones would have taken note of it or even adopt it for use.

Overtime, writing such proposals becomes a second nature for many and to start looking for a good template when you are already out in the market may be too late.

I use a power saw.

Neurosurgeons use power saws.

Therefore, I can saw peoples' heads open.

Jim,

That's stretching it.....;)

Stijloor.

I use a power saw.

Neurosurgeons use power saws.

Therefore, I can saw peoples' heads open.

Jim,

That's stretching it.....;)

Stijloor.

Not really; the point was that a template designed by a lawyer isn't the same as a template designed by someone who's ignorant of the applicable law. Just because I can design a template doesn't mean that I should design them for applications where I have no qualifications, in the same sense that I can use a saw, but not to cut someone's head open.

When we're dealing with requirements that range outside our areas of expertise, we need to get help. As Wes aptly pointed out, it's not enough just to get a lawyer; you need one who's qualified in business law and commercial transactions. Using a lawyer who practices criminal law to draw up a business contract is the equivalent of allowing a proctologist to open your cranium, to extend my analogy even further. :D

Not really; the point was that a template designed by a lawyer isn't the same as a template designed by someone who's ignorant of the applicable law. Just because I can design a template doesn't mean that I should design them for applications where I have no qualifications, in the same sense that I can use a saw, but not to cut someone's head open.

Maybe I was not specific enough. Laywers are specialized in certain fields and they use templates that they or perhaps others in their legal fields may have developed. For example, when we incorporated, our laywer used a format that is fairly common and he made some additions and added clauses applicable to our situation. That's all I meant.

Stijloor.

Maybe I was not specific enough. Laywers are specialized in certain fields and they use templates that they or perhaps others in their legal fields may have developed. For example, when we incorporated, our laywer used a format that is fairly common and he made some additions and added clauses applicable to our situation. That's all I meant.

Stijloor.Jim's point (I think) and, certainly, mine, is a GOOD and APPROPRIATE lawyer will ensure any template, his own creation or one off the web, will fit the law of the land where the contract will be enforced and will also be available to help the consultant enforce the contract if it should become necessary.

Consulting is a BUSINESS, same as any other business. If you are serious about the business of consulting, you should be serious about ensuring your business has all the protection you can get. Think of it as "insurance" same as you get for your car, home, health, life. It may not be necessary, but it sure does give peace of mind so you can concentrate on the other things which help your career.

A good consultant can gross anywhere from $50,000 USD to $500,000 USD per year. If he has staff and does a lot of traveling, the gross can easily range up to ten times that number. Why on earth would anyone jeopardize that kind of business to save $100 to $500 on the cost of having a qualified attorney customize a proposal contract which can be easily modified by adding the "whats" specific to each client?

I have a legal education specializing in "agency and contract" and yet I don't draw up my own contracts without having an attorney double check and "sign off" on the contract.

Therefore, I suggest, if you absolutely MUST have a template, that you take the template to a good, qualified attorney in the jurisdiction in which you will be working and have him review and approve the template.

:thanx:

Dear All,:thanks:

Thanks a ton for the response. i have gone through most of the replies and i feel sorry to mention that despite having received the best of responses and suggestions, i am far away from the solution. as mentioned we are a start up venture and hiring a lawyer is not a viable option at the moment. Plus i am looking at some kind of template that i can simply edit to suit the requirement. should any 1 of you use or have access to such a document, i would more than welcome your contribution by forwarding the same to me.

Regards

Ketal Sheth

I've done hundreds of quotes over the years but for my ISO 9001 Implementation quotes I've never used a lawyer, nor have I ever seen a need for one for an implementation quote.

Here's an old one from about 10 years ago as an example:

Re: Rough Order of Magnitude Quotation CHI-072301

Sir:

At this point I am hesitant to provide other than a Rough Order of Magnitude quote until a gap analysis is performed. Without knowing the specific status of your facility, I would be less than truthful to attempt to predict implementation costs. The Gap Analysis below is Firm Fixed Price and includes all expenses - there are no 'hidden' costs, such as travel.

Gap Analysis:
On-Site 1 Day
Office 1 Day
Total US$1400.00

The gap Analysis will consist of a one day on-site visit during which approximately 3/4 of the time we would be touring the facility with an up-front document review (desk audit) and question/answer session. Within 5 business days of my visit I will provide you with the following deliverables: 1) A detailed analysis of your current status (including a base document review), 2) a proposed project plan in Microsoft Project and 3) projected project cost.

In response to your request for quotation, I submit the following:

Rough Order of Magnitude Quotation CHI-072301:

I am going to estimate the fees for Cayman services for the project to be somewhere between US$ 12,000 and US$ 18,000.

Fees: On-site US$ 850 / Day
Office US$ 65 / Hour

There are two basic reasons for the range. The first is that I have not yet evaluated the status of the facility (needs are not identified). The other is each company has their own personality. Some companies really take control and get things done internally. Some want more direct assistance some want other 'incidentals' such as documentation origination. Some need certain training and some need none. Others simply let a project languish for a number of reasons.

So far I have not had a project come in over budget. One client came in (ISO9002 registration, 95 employees, single location) at US$ 7000. Obviously, they did most of the ‘work’ internally. On the other hand, in 1997-98 one large multi-national came in at roughly US$ 225,000 over 15 months (QS9000 + Semiconductor Supplement, 20,000+ employees, multiple locations).

Per your specific request:

Scenario 1: ‘Complete’
This includes all ISO related documentation. As discussed, without a visit I would not begin to quote on process documentation.
Includes applicable ISO 9001:2000 related training, but does not include the price of training materials.

Note: Using the word ‘complete’ does not relieve the company of the responsibility to have personnel available for implementation and system responsibility. For example, if no nonconformance system exists, someone in the company will have to be responsible for the system once it is designed. ISO 9001 is not something a company ‘implements’ and that’s it. The nonconformance system will have to be overseen by a company employee – a new responsibility. In addition, a system cannot be designed in a vacuum. This is to say appropriate employee(s) must be available for me to interface with as the system is designed.

Another example is internal audits. They are a requirement and either training will be necessary for several individuals or the function must be contracted out yearly. In addition, there must be a person responsible for the system internally – another new responsibility – whether audits are out-sourced or not.

What this means is I cannot come in and give you a bunch of systems and walk out the door without the involvement (read time) of key company personnel. In addition, your company must have an on-site ‘expert’ who understands ISO 9001 and how your company complies (see General Notes, item 2 below).

Developing and managing your implementation plan
* Developing and drafting your Quality Manual – Level 1 documents
* Establishing and documenting process flows for your procedures - Level 2 documents
* Interviewing your personnel and establishing detailed instruction level documents - Level 3 documents
* Identifying essential records to prove compliance with your Quality System
* Interviewing and helping select the registrar that is right for you

The instructions we can create can incorporate a variety of visual elements to promote clarity and increase understanding. This includes:
* Digital photographs
* Drawings
* Flow diagrams
* Scanned images
* Text

We can also help you establish new systems, fine tune existing systems and maintain those systems after implementation. Consider the following examples of how we can establish and maintain your quality system to help it remain successful:

* Instrument Calibration
* Establish and document your calibration system (including calibration instructions and gage R&R’s)
* Locate and identify instruments
* Catalog instruments
* Identify, interview, and recommend equipment and calibration suppliers
* Track the instruments within your calibration program

* Internal Auditing
* Establish and document your internal audit system
* Train your internal auditors and assist with initial audits
* Schedule and track audits
* Monitor and track corrective actions from findings identified during both internal and external audits
* Follow up on corrective actions to verify effectiveness

Document and data control
* Establish and document your document and data control system
* Identify documents for your master list
* Review documents when necessary
* Monitor and track the document review process
* Regulate hard copy or electronic distribution of all controlled material


US$18,000

Scenario 2: Secondary Contractor
We briefly discussed a sub-contract situation. As I explained, this is more or less how a typical implementation works in companies which prefer to do most of the work internally.
Includes applicable ISO 9001:2000 related training, but does not include the price of training materials.

US$ 12,000

General Notes:
1. I do not work on a contract basis. Charges are ‘per day’. For Chicago, there is a minimum 2 day requirement for visits. There are no hidden charges. Stated rates include all travel and related expenses.
2. While I can work with you in your project, I cannot ‘take the exam’ for you. During the registration audit appropriate personnel in your company must be ready to answer the auditor’s questions. As I explained, an alternative is to contract your management representative position, which some companies do. I do not particularly recommend this methodology, but I am willing to discuss it further. This is discussed in a thread at: http://Elsmar.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000026.html

I suggest you take a read through the attached PowerPoint file (Quote_Considerations.ppt) for some extra thoughts on your project.

With regard to ISO 14000 implementation, concurrent implementation makes the most sense. Appendix A of ISO 9001:2000 is an alignment matrix. See ISO14001_vs_ISO9001.xls (attached).

Add US$ 5,000

If you would like me to come up for a day to meet, discuss your scenario and speak with you (and any others you might want to involve), I would be happy to do so at no cost.

Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.

I suggest you not take the prices as current or relevant. This was a specific quote for a specific company. I charge differently for every job. I charge smaller companies like this one less than, for example, Motorola or Borg-Warner or Harley Davidson. Location is also a factor to consider.