Outsourcing Resource List

Getting Started

These resources provide useful guidelines and advice on how to prepare your organization to work effectively with a vendor or consultant.

• Getting Help that is Helpful , by Lisa Silverberg and Marc Osten
• TechSoup Consultants: Articles About Working with Technology Consultants
• Working with a Web Consultant , from the One Northwest Activist ToolKit
• Dealing with Technology Vendors: A Buyer’s Methodology
• Verizon's Outsourcing White Paper . This PDF discusses outsourcing in general, with information specific to contracting.

Making the Selection

• These articles provide advice on the selection process, including sample interview questions, sample RFP’s, evaluation/rating forms, and other materials.

• Vetting Vendors , from N-TEN SF Regional Conference: presentations from the session by Michael Stein, e-grants, Dawn Trygstad Rubin, Compasspoint, and Robert Weiner, an independent consultant
• Consultants on Tap: How To Hire and Interview Consultants
• How to Write a Request for Proposal for a Web Project
• Rate Vendors Excel SpreadSheet Template , from TechRepublic

Listings of Vendors/Services

• Nonprofit Software Index
• The Nonprofit Matrix

TechSoup has various resource lists, including

• ASP listings
• Web Developers
• Technical Assistance Providers

Managing the Relationship

• Nonprofit Management Library: Working with Consultants
• Vendor Relationships, from TechRepublic
• Working with Telephone Service and Equipment Vendors , by Joan Kleinberg and Sue Encherman, Northwest Justice Project

Writing a Contract

• Sample Consulting Agreements
• Advice About Contracts for Nonprofits
• Why You Should Have Written Contracts
• Contract Basics