Tips for creating an effective telematics RFP

Writing a telematics Request for Proposal (RFP) is a huge and often challenging task for any fleet. Selecting the right provider takes a lot of thoughtful planning and requires the collaboration of many stakeholders.

The first step of the RFP process — defining the key requirements — is critical to your future success. It’s important to consider your fleet needs today, and also take the long view and forecast the capabilities you will need in the future as your fleet evolves.

The questions you will want to address in your RFP can range from the basics:

• What challenges are your fleet or drivers facing that you need to find a solution for?
• How many telematics devices will you need? Will one type of device work for all your needs?
• What kind of vehicle or driving metrics would you like to track and report on?

To the more complex:

• Would you like to integrate your telematics data with any other internal management systems or accounting software?
• Do you need the telematics system to work with any industry-specific hardware or software?
• Will you choose to add electric vehicles to your fleet?

To help you in this effort, we have put together a telematics RFP preparation checklist.

What to include in your telematics RFP

When defining your fleet goals, it may be helpful to consider your needs in the following areas: productivity, safety, fleet optimization, compliance, expandability, and sustainability. To help differentiate between providers, other categories to consider adding to the RFP are support, implementation, project management and security — with a specific emphasis on cybersecurity. Seeking out a solution that emphasizes cybersecurity in the short and long run should be a key component of your RFP.

We provide more information for each of the areas below:

Security

Cybersecurity is an executive responsibility and therefore is the foundation of your foundation and cannot be overlooked for any RFP.  Do not make any assumptions that all responses to your RFP will be secure...from updating firmware in your vehicles over the air, to encrypting data in the device before and during cellular transmission, to using best software practices for database user access, make sure that you have created a dedicated section to cover cybersecurity standards, testing, data security and database management.

• If government, FedRAMP certification
• FIPS 140-2 validation
• Two factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Strong and robust security policies

Geotab has published a white paper on this topic that reviews Best practices for telematics cybersecurity and questions to ask providers. Read the white paper here.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created telematics procurement RFP templates for carriers to help raise the bar on cybersecurity. Read about their initiatives for the trucking industry in this article.

Productivity of your assets and people

Adding productivity-focused features into your RFP, such as real-time GPS tracking and asset utilization, will ensure you have the tools you need to maximize fleet uptime, balance your field activity with the most cost effective vehicle, asset and people strategies.

Zone requirements:

• Create different zone types to reflect where and how assets are used and domiciled
• Associating zones with any privacy concerns for zone labels, individual or group user access

Trip requirements:

• True trip miles calculated from odometer readings
• Accurate trip start and location times based on ignition for electric and combustion vehicles
• Calculate trip activity within 10 seconds of vehicles emerging from indoor or overnight parking

Other points to include:

• Automate the data from all stop activity for reports and enable access by API with CRM or ERP systems
• Define your expectation for accuracy and quality in time recording +/- seconds, not minutes, no missed stops or activity
• Multiple event notification options including email, web service call, text, security user desktop alerts
• Accurate breadcrumb trail recording of trips viewed with multiple map options to view trips on streets or with street image views
• Alerts and notifications delivered to responsible management users for under-used, parked or missing assets
• Audit log reports of personal versus business trips for tax log preparation
• Real-time active tracking for police, first responder fleet vehicles

Safety

Common dangerous behaviors, like speeding and distracted driving, can be monitored, driver’s coached, and manager escalations automated. Prioritizing safety in your RFP will support your organization’s goals for employee health and safety, while also helping reduce the impacts of harsh driving, like costly wear and tear on vehicles.  In a COVID-19 recovery, you may specify specific social distancing measures including vehicle condition inspection as part of your safety policy.

Points to include:

• Pre and Post Trip Vehicle Inspection Reporting with centralized data for management record keeping
• Basic safe driving reporting through more advanced driver coaching
• Identification of a driver matched to a vehicle’s daily use
• In-vehicle driver alert options ranging from audible sounds to pre-designated verbal coaching
• Risk management summary or detailed reports of driver and vehicle performance
• User region, zone, or groups specific speeding thresholds for reports, coaching and/or notifications
• Include seat belt use safety policy in driver risk summaries
• Include driving in reverse (backing into a parking space) in driver risk summaries
• Include aggressive driving acceleration, braking and swerving in driver risk summaries
• Instant collision notifications for low speed damage when vehicle is parked and unattended
• Instant collision notifications for collisions with a driver in vehicle including detailed collision reconstruction

There are different types of driver alerts available from beeps to spoken alerts. Geotab’s GO TALK verbal coaching solution delivers pre-recorded phrases inside the vehicle which helps correct driving behavior on-the-spot during trips. GO TALK is available including speeding over posted speed limits on The GO Plan and ProPlus.

Fleet optimization

Managing fuel consumption and maintenance can help minimize costs and identify how cost effective different vehicle classes are for their purpose in the field. Keeping track of specific variables, such as idling, electric vehicle suitability and benchmarking them against similar fleets, can help you implement data-driven, cost-saving strategies.

Points to include:

• Ability to benchmark fleet cost of operating versus alternative fuel and vehicle types
• Engine data monitoring for priority preventative repairs
• True Odometer Readings accessible by API to feed other fleet management systems
• 12V cranking battery Voltage health and notifications to prevent jumpstarts
• Fuel efficiency reports
• Vehicle maintenance reports
• Idling cost
• Compatible with data exchange into fleet management systems

Compliance

Electronic logs and integrated vehicle inspection apps for drivers can streamline fleet compliance processes in the field. Keeping compliance features in mind when creating your RFP will help you find tools to strengthen compliance to regulations, from hours-of-service to fuel tax reporting.

Points to include:

• Electronic logging:  ELD USA, ELD Canada 2021 compatible, tachograph (Europe, Latin America)
• Duty of Care Reports
• IFTA and IRP mileage reporting Vehicle inspection mobile app for drivers

Expandability

An important question to ask in addition to “what can the software do?” is “how can the software help us work better?” Integration or expandability enables fleets to automate and accelerate their operations. For example, will the solution allow you to customize or build a mobile app for workers?

Points to include:

• IFTA and IRP mileage reporting tax reporting support
• Vehicle inspection mobile app for drivers
• System enables expansion
• APIs and software development kit available for free
• Hardware Add-Ons
• Software Add-Ins
• Third-party device integration
• Integration with OEMs
• Ability to integrate into different FMIS systems

Sustainability / Electric Vehicles

Highlighting sustainability on your RFP will help you focus on minimizing harmful emissions or managing electric vehicles. Tools exist which can help you improve routing and reduce idling, as well as calculate the feasibility of switching some or all of your fleet to EVs.

Points to include:

• Track CO2 emissions
• Fuel consumption reports
• Recycling program for devices

If you have or will be acquiring electric vehicles in your fleet, ask for these features:

• Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment Tool
• EV model support
• EV basic monitoring such as EV State of Charge reporting and Real-time charging status
• Driving energy data monitoring
• Charging data
• EV alerts and notifications

For a complete breakdown of the features you need to include in your RFP for EVs, please refer to the Telematics RFP checklist for EV support. As well, read about the State of California procurement process for telematics, which included zero emission vehicle (ZEV) reporting for fleet sustainability requirements.

Support

Acquiring technology is one thing, but maximizing your use of it and getting the most value from your investment requires a robust support system, such as installation or software help, troubleshooting assistance, and training programs.

Points to include:

• Support services from experts
• Community forum
• Videos and Blog articles
• Lifetime device warranty
• Roadside Assistance

Learn more

Creating a comprehensive telematics RFP that covers your current and future fleet management goals will help you find the provider that best suits your needs, while supporting success in the long run.

This article presents an overview of telematics features. To learn more about government fleet management and specific solutions for government agencies, go to geotab.com/public-works and read our post on winter operations.

Contributors:

Shaista Khan, RFP Manager, Geotab Inc.

Karyne Wee, Global RFP Manager, Geotab Inc.