The verdict in three sentences
A successful mid-market corporate RFP rests on three requirements: a quantified scope (pages, languages, accessibility), a weighted scoring grid that avoids gut-feel decisions, and reversibility clauses that protect you from lock-in. The 2026 target budget sits between 25,000 and 60,000 EUR (ex. VAT) for 20 to 40 pages, multilingual and a workflow CMS. A 12-to-16-week timeline and a contractual SLA prevent 90% of post-delivery disputes.
RFP structure and its budget
A good RFP reads like a pricing grid. Here are the sections to require and their 2026 budget weight.
| RFP section | Expected content | 2026 budget weight |
|---|---|---|
| Functional scope | Pages, languages, templates | 30 - 40% |
| Design & UX | Brand, mockups, motion | 20 - 25% |
| CMS & governance | Workflow, roles, training | 15 - 20% |
| Accessibility (WCAG AA) | Level AA, audit, statement | 8 - 12% |
| SEO & performance | Migration, redirects, CWV | 8 - 10% |
| QA & maintenance | Testing, warranty, SLA | 5 - 8% |
For a 25-page bilingual site with a workflow CMS, that means 35,000 to 45,000 EUR (ex. VAT) in the 2026 mid-range.
The agency scoring grid
A defensible selection rests on a weighted grid, not price alone. Here is a proven template.
| Criterion | Weight | What you assess |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the brief | 20% | Reformulation, relevant questions |
| Creative proposal quality | 25% | Art direction, references |
| Technical & accessibility strength | 20% | Stack, WCAG, performance |
| Price & transparency | 20% | Detail, options, day rate |
| Methodology & timeline | 10% | Sprints, milestones, reversibility |
| Maintenance & SLA | 5% | Post-delivery commitments |
Always require a reversibility clause: handover of source code, documentation and access, plus a 30-day transfer period at contract end.
Mini case study
Claire, communications director of a 400-employee industrial mid-market firm in Bordeaux, launches an RFP to rebuild an ageing site. Target budget 40,000 EUR (ex. VAT), 28 pages, FR/EN, WCAG AA. She receives 5 bids from 31,000 to 58,000 EUR. Thanks to her weighted grid, she rejects the cheapest bid (weak technical score) and selects an agency at 43,000 EUR scored higher on accessibility and reversibility. With maintenance at 850 EUR/month, her total cost over 3 years reaches 73,600 EUR (ex. VAT); the formal RFP saved her about 6 weeks of negotiation and a lock-in risk.
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FAQ
What budget should I target for a mid-market corporate site in 2026?
Between 25,000 and 60,000 EUR (ex. VAT) depending on pages, languages and accessibility level. The mid-range for 25-30 bilingual pages is around 40,000 EUR.
Should I mandate accessibility in the RFP?
Yes, at least level AA. It represents 8 to 12% of the budget but protects the company legally and widens your audience. Require a conformance statement as a deliverable.
How do I avoid gut-feel decisions?
Use a weighted scoring grid where price accounts for only 20%. That makes the decision defensible internally and before a procurement committee.
What is a reversibility clause?
A clause guaranteeing handover of code, documentation and access at contract end, with a transfer period (30 days). It keeps you from being locked into one agency.
How long between the RFP and go-live?
Plan 4 to 6 weeks of consultation then a 12-to-16-week project, roughly 5 months total for a mid-market corporate site.
Let's scope your project. Send us your draft RFP or objectives (pages, languages, accessibility, target date) and we'll respond with a detailed quote and a ready-to-use scoring grid. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
