Looking to Automate Your RFP Process?
Managing RFPs manually or even with legacy tools that claim to “use AI” can slow your team down and leave room for costly mistakes. Meanwhile, the AI landscape is evolving rapidly: over the next three years, 92% of companies (a report by McKinsey) plan to ramp up AI investments, including automating proposal workflows.
This means your competitors are likely adopting AI-driven RFP automation that not only handles repetitive tasks but also improves accuracy, speeds up responses, and increases win rates. Simply having AI features in a legacy system is no longer enough.
This guide helps you cut through hype and focus on tools designed for results. You’ll Learn:
Many organizations exploring RFP automation encounter a common challenge: distinguishing between tools that are truly AI-driven and those that are simply AI-enabled.
AI-driven RFP software is built on an AI-first architecture, meaning the entire platform is designed from the ground up to incorporate intelligent automation. Every function and process of RFP, from parsing questions and generating responses to managing compliance and coordinating workflows, is powered by AI agents and AI tools working together.
On the other hand, AI-enabled legacy tools often adapt AI capabilities to existing workflows. They may offer a few AI features like drafting suggestions or answer scoring, but the core process still relies heavily on manual input, and the AI cannot manage the RFP process end-to-end.
For example, a compliance-check feature in a legacy tool might only flag missing information, leaving users to fill in the gaps manually. In contrast, the same feature in an AI-first platform is part of a fully automated workflow: AI agents detect the gaps, retrieve relevant content from your library, format responses according to templates, and notify reviewers, all without manual intervention.
You might be trying to add AI capabilities to your existing RFP workflows, but adding a few features cannot achieve the level of automation efficiency that today’s RFP market demands. Layering multiple tools often leads to siloed processes, slower response times, and inconsistent outputs.
Using a fully AI-driven RFP software is a wiser choice. These platforms are built from the ground up to automate the entire RFP process, leveraging AI agents and AI tools cohesively to manage everything from parsing questions to generating responses and ensuring compliance.
As Arun Chandrasekaran, VP Analyst of Gartner, notes, “Generative AI has become a top priority for the C-suite and has sparked tremendous innovation in new tools beyond foundation models.” Gartner report also reinforces this trend, predicting that more than 80% of enterprises will have used Generative AI APIs or deployed Generative AI-enabled applications by 2026.
Key Benefits of AI-First RFP Software:
To make your research easier, we’ve rounded up 10 of the leading AI-driven RFP automation platforms.
We compare 10 AI-first RFP platforms by evaluating the AI automation each one delivers, focusing on two key components: AI agents, which perform end-to-end automated tasks, and AI tools, which support specific functions such as content retrieval, answer generation, or compliance checks
Each tool is presented with a brief overview, G2 ranking, key features, pros and cons, pricing, and recommended use cases.
Here is a table for your quick review:
Tool | AI Agents & Features | AI Tools & Capabilities | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|
Inventive AI | Win-Theme Agent | AI Context Engine | Native AI architecture, | Learning curve |
Conveyor | Sue (security questionnaires | Generative AI answering | Simplified trust center | Requires setup, |
DeepRFP | Virtual SMEs & Bid Agents | RFP writing tools, | AI-native for RFP automation | May lack the advanced features of large enterprise tools |
SiftHub | RFP Agent | SME collaboration, | Enterprise-grade security, | Sales-focused platform |
Altura | Bid Companion | AI content generation, | Autonomous agents managing end-to-end bids | Regional limitations |
AutoRFP.ai | No autonomous agents | Generative AI text generation, | Strong multilingual support | Integration and onboarding effort |
Arphie | Drafting Agent | RAG | Transparent AI | Steep learning curve |
AutogenAI | Research Assistant AI agent | Generative content creation, | Strong long-form content | Resource-intensive customization |
Inventive AI is one of the best RFP software for teams seeking AI-powered proposal automation without the fatigue of legacy systems or the drag of manual processes. AI-first architecture drives every step of the workflow from the very beginning, eliminating the inefficiencies that traditional tools usually encounter.
Built from the ground up with AI at its core, Inventive AI offers a multi-agent system that assists with micro strategic RFP tasks, guiding teams through decision-making, prioritization, and process management.
Inventive AI offers a suite of tools, including the AI Context Engine and AI-Powered Content Management, keeping your RFP management smooth and centralized in a single, agile hub.
Inventive AI’s specialized agents go beyond drafting responses to RFP. They handle strategic and research-heavy work that usually slows down proposal teams.
Inventive AI equips proposal teams with intelligent tools that keep responses consistent, context-rich, and fully verifiable.
Pricing: Inventive AI follows a custom pricing model, tailored to your team size, usage volume, and feature requirements.
Best For: Inventive AI is ideal for RFP teams that require automating time-consuming proposal tasks at scale. It’s particularly valuable in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, where accuracy, compliance, and speed must work together.
Here’s what our client says about Inventive AI:
“Inventive AI shifts RFP approach from chaos to clarity. Inventive has completely streamlined my RFP process. We’re now 90% faster, and our win rate has increased by 50%.” Shikha Chauhan, Product Manager at Hexalog
Curious how much time and budget your team could reclaim with RFP Software? Try Inventive AI RFP ROI calculator to estimate savings and returns based on your current RFP workload.
Arphie positions itself as an AI-native platform built specifically for high-volume, form-based responses such as RFPs, RFQs, DDQs, and security questionnaires. Instead of layering AI onto an older system, it was designed from the ground up around a Q&A workflow.
At its core, Arphie uses specialized AI agents. One agent generates draft responses to structured questionnaires by pulling directly from a company’s content library, always citing its source and displaying confidence levels. Another works as a conversational assistant, allowing team members to ask practical style questions and receive context-aware, reference-backed answers.
The platform also features AI capabilities for proactive content maintenance, controlled access, and compliance-focused data management. This ensures that response material remains consistent, up-to-date, and aligned with organizational policies.
Pricing: Custom pricing tailored to the team's size and feature requirements.
Best For: Organizations with complex security questionnaires and compliance-heavy RFPs that need AI-driven drafting and answer optimization at scale.
The conveyor was purpose-built for the new era of RFP automation tool demands. It focuses on automating the most repetitive and compliance-heavy parts of the process, such as security questionnaires and structured RFPs, using end-to-end AI agents rather than legacy add-on features.
Conveyor deploys explicit AI agents such as Sue, designed for security questionnaire acceleration, and Phil, the AI Agent dedicated to RFP automation.
The platform’s AI tools include a generative answering engine that supports multiple formats (Word, Excel, portals), a centralized knowledge hub, automated intake, and full traceability, distinguishing AI-generated responses from manual edits.
Best For: Mid-to-enterprise teams handling frequent RFPs and security questionnaires who need a blend of AI-driven proposal writing and customer trust management.
DeepRFP has quickly become a go-to choice for teams that need fast, intelligent RFP responses without complex workflows. The platform combines agentic AI for guided task handling with generative AI for drafting accurate, context-aware responses. This dual approach allows teams to move quickly while maintaining precision, all within a lean interface designed for easy adoption.
Best For: Small and mid-size teams that need a lightweight but powerful RFP automation platform combining agentic AI with writing and editing tools.
SiftHub captures the needs of modern proposal teams by combining speed with strategic AI assistance for every submission.
The platform serves as an always-on AI sales engineer by automating RFPs, questionnaires, battlecards, deal summaries, and customer Q&A by drawing on unified company knowledge and deal context from within tools like Slack, Word, or CRM interfaces.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and requirements.
Best For: Large enterprises and scaling sales teams handling complex, compliance-heavy sales RFPs and security questionnaires that demand both speed and strategic precision.
In a market full of legacy software, Altura makes automation straightforward while keeping control in the hands of proposal professionals. The platform is built as an AI-first bid management system that integrates autonomous agents, workflow orchestration, and compliance tracking.
Unlike traditional tools, Altura offers native collaboration features, structured content libraries, and automated compliance mapping, giving proposal teams a single environment to manage the full lifecycle of an RFP.
Pricing: Custom pricing is available based on company size and specific requirements.
Best For: Bid and proposal teams in enterprises or government contractors seeking an end-to-end AI platform that combines automation, content intelligence, and collaboration in one place.
AutoRFP.ai distinguishes itself by prioritizing efficiency and accuracy in RFP responses, rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary features.
Unlike agent-based platforms, it delivers a suite of AI-assisted tools designed to support human decision-making, like auto-generating content, refining language, and structuring responses with precision. This approach keeps proposal teams in control while still leveraging the benefits of powerful AI-driven RFP automation.
AutoRFP AI does not provide agentic AI capabilities. Instead, the platform delivers a suite of AI-assisted tools that augment proposal teams in drafting, searching, and managing content.
Best For: Proposal teams looking for AI-assisted drafting and collaboration tools that enhance efficiency without the complexity of autonomous AI agents.
Unlike most legacy bidding tools, AutogenAI was built from day one for proposal professionals who want results fast.
The platform utilizes generative AI to draft, refine, and structure bid content while maintaining full control over tone, compliance, and accuracy for teams. The focus is on speeding up response cycles without sacrificing the precision required in competitive bids.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on organizational size and requirements.
Best For: Large enterprise or highly regulated organizations that need AI-assisted research and content generation in their proposal workflows, without sacrificing oversight or customization.
Now that we’ve reviewed some of the leading AI-driven proposal tools, the question shifts from who’s out there to what really matters when choosing one. Not every platform is built with the same priorities in mind, and the right fit depends on how well its core features match your team’s process. Below, we’ll break down the must-have features to look for in AI-driven RFP automation software so you can evaluate vendors with a clear checklist rather than marketing claims.
Selecting the right AI-driven RFP automation software goes beyond brand names or flashy demos. The key lies in understanding which capabilities actually streamline your workflow, reduce manual effort, and improve response quality. In this section, we highlight the essential features that make an RFP automation platform effective, helping you make informed choices for your team and organization.
Look for platforms that offer specialized AI agents to handle repetitive tasks. Examples include drafting agents, research assistants, compliance checkers, and answer optimization agents. These agents reduce manual work and ensure consistent, accurate responses.
Effective RFP tools leverage generative AI with contextual awareness. Features like citation-backed responses, semantic search, and knowledge engines help generate answers that are not only fast but also relevant and precise.
RFP responses often involve multiple stakeholders. Platforms should integrate with popular collaboration tools (Slack, Google Workspace, SharePoint) and allow real-time editing, version control, and team-based workflows.
Automated compliance checks, access control, and audit trails are essential for regulated industries. The platform should help maintain adherence to internal standards and industry regulations while ensuring data security.
Your RFP tool should grow with your team and adapt to your unique workflows. Look for platforms that allow configurable templates, automated content libraries, and flexible AI behavior to match your organization’s needs.
Tracking efficiency and effectiveness is key. The best platforms provide dashboards for win rates, time saved per RFP, and content utilization, enabling data-driven improvements to your proposal strategy.
Once you’ve shortlisted potential AI-driven RFP automation software, there are a few practical aspects to check before making a final decision. These go beyond features and demos, focusing on usability, reliability, and long-term fit for your team.
Key considerations include:
Inventive AI has collected insights from 100+ sales and proposal experts to help you evaluate vendors, compare features, and choose the right AI-driven RFP solution for your team.
Unlike traditional software or tools, AI-driven RFP platforms require time and training to get up and running. If your team has been using a legacy platform, these new AI platforms may seem challenging. The good news is that you can solve these challenges promptly before considering AI automation. Here is how:
Implementing AI-driven RFP automation can transform your bid management, but it comes with practical challenges. Addressing these early helps ensure smooth adoption and maximum ROI.
Many teams hesitate to adopt AI-driven RFP automation due to fear of change or uncertainty about its capabilities.
Address this by involving stakeholders early, providing clear demonstrations of AI-assisted workflows, and highlighting success stories that show measurable efficiency gains.
AI tools are only as good as the data they learn from. Poorly organized RFP content, outdated answers, or inconsistent templates can reduce accuracy.
Regularly audit your knowledge base, standardize formats, and ensure your AI platform can easily ingest and update content.
AI outputs can unintentionally introduce errors or fail to meet compliance standards. Establish processes to review outputs, implement checks, and maintain audit trails to ensure every response is accurate and compliant.
AI systems require ongoing training to stay effective. Without regular updates and feedback, models can become outdated. Plan a continuous review process to refine templates, update knowledge bases, and retrain AI models.
AI-driven RFP automation continues to evolve, introducing new capabilities that redefine how teams respond, collaborate, and win bids. Falling behind means your competitors are moving faster, leveraging smarter tools to gain an edge. The best approach is to start small, trial-run solutions, and refine workflows to match your team’s needs.
AI-driven RFP automation uses artificial intelligence to analyze, draft, and manage RFP responses. Unlike traditional tools, it reduces manual effort, improves accuracy, and leverages AI agents or tools to streamline workflows.
Most modern AI RFP platforms are designed for business users. While IT support can help with integrations, setup is generally user-friendly, and platforms often provide guided onboarding and support.
Yes. Advanced AI platforms are trained on industry standards and can maintain high accuracy rates. Features like knowledge hubs, compliance checks, and conflict management help reduce errors and ensure consistent responses.
Start by assessing practical considerations: scalability, AI model quality, training capabilities, customer support, and integration with your existing workflow. Trial runs or pilot programs can help you evaluate effectiveness before full deployment.
AI is designed to assist, not replace, human teams. It handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing your team to focus on strategy, customization, and high-value decision-making.