🎯 Learning Objectives
- Extract structure and criteria from an existing RFP
- Draft a new RFP grounded on project guidelines and a template
- Communicate the RFP to suppliers via Outlook
📋 Demo Setup
Required files from the MS-4021 GitHub repository:
📝 NOTE: Allow up to 10 minutes for OneDrive sync.
Part 1: Copilot in Word — Decompose an RFP
💡 Why This Matters: Don't start from scratch. Copilot extracts structure and requirements from an existing RFP so you can reuse what worked.
- Open Contoso_Completed_RFP.docx in Word.
- Click the Copilot icon in the ribbon.
Summarize this document
Analyze this document and generate a categorized list of required items needed to create an RFP.
Analyze this document and create an RFP template based on the content.
📝 NOTE: No need to copy the output — we'll use a provided template in the next part. Optionally show how to insert Copilot's response into the document.
✅ Self-Check: Part 1
Part 2: Copilot Chat — Draft a New RFP
💡 Why This Matters: Combine your project guidelines with a proven template — Copilot generates the new RFP draft.
- Open M365copilot.com in Web mode.
Summarize [Project_Guidelines_Contoso.docx] highlighting the key objectives, scope, implementation timeline, budget, compliance needs, and vendor selection criteria in a bulleted list.
Extract and summarize the key vendor selection criteria from this document, including weight percentages and evaluation factors.
Using the project requirements outlined above, draft an RFP using the following template: [Contoso_RFP_Template.docx].
Copy the generated RFP to your clipboard. Optionally ask Copilot to export it to a Word document.
✅ Self-Check: Part 2
Part 3: Copilot in Outlook — Reach Out to Suppliers
💡 Why This Matters: Once the RFP is ready, getting it in front of suppliers fast is half the win.
- Open Outlook → New Email.
- Click Copilot → Draft with Copilot.
Draft an email to potential suppliers summarizing the RFP below:
[paste contents of RFP]
📝 NOTE: Paste the RFP contents you copied from Part 2.
✅ Self-Check: Part 3
🔑 Key Takeaways
📂
Mine What Worked
Reuse structure from past RFPs.
🧱
Ground on Templates
Combine guidelines + template + Copilot.
📤
Move to Outreach Fast
Close the loop with suppliers in the same flow.
🔁
Iterate
Refine the RFP and outreach until they're ready.