| Retweets (or an easy way to write a blog entry) |
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Maintain version control to ensure ur proposal has the latest document & graphic files, & maintain a file of the latest proposal draft.
As a proposal reviewer, don't just ID proposal deficiencies; ID what can be done to fix the deficiencies.
If u have proposal archives for files of personnel resumes & contract past performance, set a schedule to update these files.
For proposal shipment, double-check that you use the correct address as per the RFP & use the correct address on the shipper label.
Proposal themes should answer the question: why should the customer pick you for the contract?
When the RFP is released, it's time to confirm your bid/no-bid decision, not to start the bid/no-bid decision process.
An org chart in ur proposal isn't a mgt plan. The org is 1 element of a mgt plan, which should also include mgt roles, tools & processes.
Don't hire a proposal consultant to write your proposal. Hire one to help you write your proposal.
No playing bait & switch in ur proposal: don't propose a project/program manager that u know won't serve the proposed contract if it's won.
3 key factors to consider for a bid/no-bid decision: Can u win the contract? If u win, can u perform the contract & make ur desired profit?
As the incumbent for a recompete contract, avoid asking for a proposal submittal extension; getting 1 could help ur competition more than u.
Avoiding Writer's Block Tip #3: Start writing the content that you know the best.
Avoiding Writer's Block Tip #2: Use an outline to guide your writing.
Avoiding Writer's Block Tip #1: Don't try to write a perfect first draft. Just start writing and then edit ... and then repeat.
If ur proposal needs management sign-off prior to its submittal, ensure u have time to make proposal changes dictated by management.
If the customer allows questions about the RFP after its release, don't feel obligated to submit questions just to show your interest.
As a prime lead of a product/service team including subs, explain in ur proposal what the subs will do & why they were chosen for the team.
If your proposal often mentions your company name, the proposal may be focusing too much on your company and not enough on the customer.
In ur proposals, don't just tell the customers how great you are & what ur capabilities are; propose a solution for meeting customer needs.
Ur goal shouldn't be to develop the perfect proposal; it should be to develop the best proposal you can with ur available resources & time.
For each hard copy of the proposal you'll send to the customer, do a book check to ensure the presence & print quality of all pages.
Written questions to a Fed customer about an RFP: "sanitize" them to avoid providing competitive intelligence to other bidders.
As you plan your proposal content, look to have at least one graphic for every two pages.
In your proposal, write like a newspaper reporter. In the proposal answer the following questions. Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
Organize your proposal as per the RFP requirements even if you think the proposal outline doesn't flow logically.
To make a proposal prep schedule: set begin (RFP release), end (submittal deadline) & the draft review date(s); then fit in other tasks.
Don't call proposals RFPs. RFPs aren't proposals; proposals are written in response to RFPs.
In proposal resumes of key personnel, don't just list their past/current job responsibilities; describe what they did & the results of it.
In a competitive multi-award procurement by the government, your proposal doesn't need to be the best, just one of the best.
In your proposal, be careful using info from existing sources. If you don't know what it means, how can you expect your reader to know? |
