Firmware & Embedded Partner RFP Template and Scorecard
Choosing an outside firmware team is a big bet. This template helps you ask every firm the same questions and score their answers the same way, so you decide on evidence rather than on who gave the smoothest pitch.
This tool is for planning. It isn’t a legal or compliance determination.
Weighted scorecard
Set a weight from 1 to 5 for each area, then score each firm from 0 to 5. Totals update as you type.
| Area | Weight (1–5) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security capabilitySecure boot, signing, SBOM practice and how the firm handles vulnerabilities | ||||
| Chip and OS experienceThe processors, RTOS or embedded Linux builds you actually use | ||||
| ProcessHow the firm plans, tests, documents and hands off work | ||||
| IP termsWho owns the code, keys and tools when the job ends | ||||
| ReferencesWhat past clients tell you when you call them yourself | ||||
| Communication and time zonesOverlap with your team’s hours and how updates will flow | ||||
| Weighted total | of 105 | — | — | — |
Look hard at any low score in an area you weighted high.
This tool runs in your browser. We don’t store your answers. Privacy Policy
This is not a legal or compliance determination. A high score means a firm fits your stated priorities. It doesn’t show that the firm or its work meets any regulation.
Who it’s for
Engineering leaders, firmware leads and buyers who plan to hire an outside team for embedded, firmware or product-security work. It’s useful whether you’re talking to two firms or ten, and whether the job is a single retrofit or years of support.
What’s inside
Two parts that work together:
- An RFP template. A ready-to-edit request you send to each firm. It asks about the work in a form you can compare side by side.
- A weighted scorecard. You set how much each area matters to your project. Then you score each firm’s answers, and the sheet adds it up.
The scorecard covers:
- Security capability: secure boot, signing, SBOM practice and how the firm handles vulnerabilities.
- Chip and OS experience: the processors, RTOS or embedded Linux builds you actually use.
- Process: how the firm plans, tests, documents and hands off work.
- IP terms: who owns the code, keys and tools when the job ends.
- References: a place to record what past clients tell you when you call them yourself.
- Communication and time zones: overlap with your team’s hours and how updates will flow.
Use the web version to work in your browser, or download the spreadsheet (XLSX) to share with your team. Neither one asks for your email.
How to use it
Agree on weights before you see any proposals, so no one tunes the scale to a favorite. Send the same RFP to every firm. Score each answer on its own, then compare totals and look hard at any low score in an area you weighted high.
For more on what to ask and which warning signs to watch for, read our guide to evaluating firmware development companies.
What it doesn’t do
We don’t fill in scores, rank firms or list companies here. You do all the scoring. The tool doesn’t check a firm’s claims, vouch for anyone or confirm that their work will meet a law or standard.
We also offer optional introductions to engineering firms we work with. Introductions are for US-based companies expanding into Europe. Score any firm we introduce exactly as you’d score any other. If you’re introduced to a partner firm and hire them, that firm may pay us a referral fee.
This is not a legal or compliance determination. A high score means a firm fits your stated priorities. It doesn’t show that the firm or its work meets any regulation.