What criteria should i use to evaluate software development companies so i can outsource development?

We wish to outsource some of our software development. We'll be providing an RFP to these software companies but i'd like to apply some criteria to these companies so i can reduce the number of companies that will receive the RFP.


Does anyone know of some broad criteria that I can apply to companies?


thank you

What criteria should i use to evaluate software development companies so i can outsource development?
- Delivery time


- Documentation


- Programming (tools, languages, standards...)


- UI (standards, style sheets)


- Testing details/cycles


- Support (pre/post) / languages / hours / availbility


- Costs (develop/support/debug)


- Knowledge transfer procedures and processes


- Project management (manager, players, procedures, milestones, missed deadlines...)


- Conversion (from/to)


- Upgrades