MFT vendor RFP template

Ask file-transfer vendors for evidence, not feature promises.

Use this template when procurement, security, or compliance needs to compare managed file transfer vendors against real regulated transfer flows.

What the template covers

The scoring model is deliberately operational: it names the transfer flow, the evidence needed, and the acceptance criteria for a pilot.

Vendor identity

Legal entity, operating region, support model, subprocessors, and security contacts.

Transfer scope

Protocols, counterparties, data classes, file size, schedule, retries, and business owner.

Access controls

SSO, MFA, role model, emergency access, partner access, and periodic review evidence.

Evidence exports

Audit logs, incident timeline, access review, retention evidence, and DORA/NIST/CIS mapping.

Exit path

Data export, retained logs, replacement route, migration sequence, and named recovery owner.

Attach one critical file-transfer workflow to the RFP instead of asking generic feature questions.

Ask every vendor to show exportable audit evidence, not screenshots from an admin console.

Require a pilot success criterion for owner mapping, access review, incident notification, and exit evidence.

Keep legal review separate from product scoring. This template is operational evidence support, not legal advice.

Send the filled template and one critical flow. xEvolve can turn it into a free pilot scope with evidence criteria.