Shawn, you forget the first requirement of a RFP: justifiy the positions of the persons crafting said document and those who certify compliance with same.

I read a hysterically funny story in a professional journal about an FBI RFP for shotgun ammo "back in the day". Some outfit no one had ever heard of won it. Extremely puzzled, the FBI contacted the local field office and had them visit the concern. It turned out to be a couple of Bubbas in a garage with a MEC jr, who had no possibility of being able to actually deliver the product in the quantities required. After that, the RFP process was upgraded, probably including the phrase "lowest responsible bidder" or "qualified bidder".

And yes, the rules have gotten worse, including provisions for special consideration to various firms owned/operated by various ethnic, sexual and other .....out of the mainstream peoples who may or may not operate in special economic zones that require subsidation.