The verdict in three sentences
A solid multi-site corporate RFP brief is the difference between comparable bids and a chaotic tender. For a group of 3 to 8 subsidiaries, the realistic 2026 budget sits between EUR 40,000 and 120,000, with a 12-to-20-week timeline. Weighted selection criteria, a 99.9% uptime SLA and EUR 500 to 1,200/month maintenance must be written down to avoid nasty surprises.
Scoping the multi-site perimeter
A multi-subsidiary group does not need N independent sites. The recommended architecture is a shared core (design system, pooled CMS, shared components) plus per-subsidiary spaces. This cuts the marginal cost of each subsidiary by 40 to 60%.
| Scope element | Range | Budget impact |
|---|---|---|
| Shared core + design system | once | EUR 18,000 - 45,000 |
| Pages per subsidiary | 15 - 40 | EUR 4,000 - 12,000 / subsidiary |
| Languages | 2 - 4 | +15% per language |
| HR / careers portal | optional | EUR 6,000 - 18,000 |
| Press / ESG room | recommended | EUR 4,000 - 10,000 |
| QA + accessibility (WCAG) | mandatory | 8 - 12% of total |
The brief should mandate a pooled headless CMS: a single admin interface, per-subsidiary permissions, and an approval workflow. That is what guarantees brand consistency while preserving editorial autonomy.
Selection criteria and SLA
A tender without weighting is unmanageable. Here is a 2026 grid that forces comparable answers.
| Criterion | Weight | What you assess |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the need | 20% | Reformulation, relevant questions |
| Design quality & references | 20% | Corporate portfolio, consistency |
| Technical architecture & performance | 20% | Headless, Core Web Vitals, security |
| Price & 3-year TCO | 20% | Build + maintenance + hosting |
| Governance & timeline | 12% | Plan, milestones, project lead |
| Data protection & accessibility | 8% | Register, WCAG, EU hosting |
Demand a 99.9% uptime SLA (under 8.8 hours of downtime per year), a guaranteed recovery time and on-call support. A corporate site down during a press announcement costs far more than the annual maintenance fee.
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Mini case study
Sophie, general secretary of a food group in Singapore (5 subsidiaries, 900 staff), launches an RFP. Chosen scope: shared core at EUR 32,000, 5 subsidiary spaces at EUR 7,000 each (EUR 35,000), EN + ZH + MS (+30%), careers portal at EUR 12,000. Build total: (32,000 + 35,000 + 12,000) x 1.30 = EUR 102,700. Negotiated maintenance: EUR 950/month, hosting EUR 320/month. Over 3 years, TCO = 102,700 + (1,270 x 36) = EUR 148,420. Sophie compares 4 bids on the same weighted grid and decides in 3 weeks instead of 2 months of discussion.
FAQ
What budget for a multi-site corporate website in 2026? Between EUR 40,000 and 120,000 depending on the number of subsidiaries and languages. The shared core is the biggest upfront investment, then each subsidiary costs EUR 4,000 to 12,000.
One site per subsidiary or a pooled core? A pooled core with per-subsidiary spaces cuts marginal cost by 40 to 60% and guarantees brand consistency. It is the 2026 standard for groups.
How should I weight the RFP? Price and 3-year TCO at 20%, technical at 20%, design at 20%, understanding at 20%, governance at 12%, compliance at 8%. This avoids selecting on price alone.
What SLA should I demand? A minimum of 99.9% uptime, under 8.8 hours of downtime per year, with on-call support and a guaranteed recovery time. Essential for a corporate site.
How long does the project take? From 12 to 20 weeks depending on subsidiary count. The shared core takes the first 6 to 8 weeks, then subsidiaries are added in waves.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of subsidiaries, languages and RFP calendar: we deliver a scoping brief and a ready-to-issue weighting 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.
