Think about your client for a minute. He has issued an RFP and now has a stack of proposals to wade through. It could be a tall stack or a short one, depending on how many people proposed. It doesn’t matter how tall the stack; what matters is that your client is about to read
In a past article, I wrote about the importance of sizing up the competition and discovering ways to differentiate yourself from them. Well, it’s more important now than ever. Why? Because the competition is stiffer, more firms are competing for the same work, and there is often little or no perceptible differences between the firms
Having a good cost estimate is one of the most important factors when creating your proposal. In addition to sticking to the client’s budget, you need to consider several other ways to provide the best cost estimate possible. Read the following PDF to learn more… Copy and paste this URL into your browser to download
Here is an example of a cost proposal: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/sample1.htm
In addition to planning your proposal, it is helpful to follow a checklist. This will ensure you do not skip any steps or important information. For a complete proposal checklist, click here: http://www.proposalwriter.com/checklist.html
If you want to write a successful proposal, it is best to plan before you begin writing. There are many aspects of the proposal that need thought and preparation to create a winning proposal. Here are some planning tips: http://www.smps.org/mrc/articles-html/proposalplanning.htm
There are several tips to follow when aiming to buy smarter. These include: Asking front-line managers whether they have purchase cards and whether the cards ease small purchases. Making sure internal procurement rules reflect acquisition reform. Asking whether the agency routinely uses performance-based contracting. Finding out whether the agency is taking advantage of improved FSS
What’s your impression of how the evaluation process goes? Do you imagine that the evaluator reads proposal after proposal until he happens upon the one that makes him stand up and say, “Eureka! This is it!” You know that isn’t how it goes. Yet, chances are you write your proposals as if you think that’s
The RFP has arrived, and suddenly the panic sets in. Who’s going to manage the job? Who will write which sections? Are they available? Who will review the proposal in the various stages of completion? And how are we ever going to get all this done in just three (two, one) weeks? Let’s make one
