How should the consultant be selected?

Review each written proposal:

• Is the proposal consistent with your notes and recollections of what was said by the consultant?

• Are you comfortable with the proposal as a solution?

• Is one proposal clearly superior to the others?

• Is one proposal clearly less costly than the others?

Chemistry is important:

• If this is a situation of risk, such as a high profile discrimination lawsuit, your working relationship with your expert is critical. You must be completely candid and feel the individual has the organization's best interest at heart. All things being equal, chemistry may be the most important variable.

• Did the consultant do all of the talking or did the consultant ask many questions and is the proposal reflective of what the consultant learned in the interview?

Do your homework:

• Check all references and credentials.

• Check professional regulators and the Better Business Bureau.

• Remember, cheapest is not always the best.

Recommendation:

• Discuss your thought process and preliminary recommendation with your superior and any other interested party. Gain support for your decision by sharing the process and what you have learned.

• Make your decision.

Final details:

• Have a legal review of the contract before signing. Compare your original meeting notes and the initial written proposal to the contract to ensure that the documents and your understanding are consistent. Pay particular attention to any discrepancies.

• If a decision was based on price, you may want to negotiate price with other bidders before making a final decision.

• Call the winning bidder and follow up with a letter recapping your understanding and expectations.

• Contact the other consultants by mail. You need not divulge who got the bid or why, although you may want to give feedback.