A Polite Request to RFP Writers (#1)
Please stop using 24/7/365(6) to mean “24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
For decades, this meaning was conveyed perfectly clearly and succinctly by the shorthand form of “24/7.” Then someone decided that it was important to be clear that this requirement applied to every day of the year. And so this silliness was born.
Now, if someone feels that “24 hours a day, 7 days a week” leaves out some of the hours or some of the days (which it doesn’t), then it would make sense to say “24 hours a day, 365(6) days a year,” for a shorthand form of 24/365(6). From there, the next potential clarification would be to specify “for every year in the contract.” But saying “24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365(6) days a year” is silly.
Unfortunately, once the client has done it in the RFP, bidders are in a bind. If they don’t use the same terminology, they invite questions about their intent. Which days, exactly, are they intending to omit if they offer “only” 24/7 service? And so the silliness spreads.
But you have it in your hands to end the madness. Just stop using 24/7/365(6).
Please.
There must be some sort of evolutionary benefit to stupidity, or it wouldn’t proliferate so much.
Jim
Jim – Regrettably, I believe that all that is necessary is that there be no relatively immediate disadvantage! Nor should it bother me so much – I like to think that I have more equanimity when the environment is more forgiving. Proposals are tough enough without having to deal with silly stuff.