Request for Proposal (RFP)  from the SC Realtors Association

Research Question: Why South Carolina residents are not buying homes?

We need to determine the major reasons why residents are not going into the housing market. The objective situation suggests that this should be an excellent housing market with many new and used homes up for sale at excellent prices and with mortgage rates at historic lows. Certainly some people are unable to buy because of layoffs and uncertain job situations, but close to 90% of the population is employed and most of them could afford to consider buying. Before we design an ad campaign, we need to know what the major ohstacles are in people's minds. To find this out, we want to contract a statewide survey. To win the contract, we expect you to make a preliminary proposal that details the following:

1. the size of the sample (there are 2 million households, in South Carolina, 1 million owner occupied  and 4 million residents, 3 million of which are over 21.
2. how the sample will be drawn (going into some detail)
3. the time frame for the work, from beginning to presenting your report to our board
4. at least 5 key questions that will be asked
5. projected total costs

To enter the final round of bidding, you need to make a verbal report on these items.

************************************************************************

Each of your firms have the same resources and basic costs.

• You each have a 6 person call center with hands free telehone interviewing capabilities, but not computer assisted survey equipment.
• You have a mail room capable of bulk mailing.
• Your pay rate for callers and other clerical personnel is $10 an hour.
• Your rate for professional researchers such as yourselves is $50 an hour.
• You have a fixed overhead (indirect costs for such things as rent, equipment, utilities and fringe benefits) on all costs of 25%