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Government RFP & Proposal Development
Government contractors struggle with writing effective government contract proposals and often find themselves repeating the same habits in hope of winning a federal contract. Agency’s have tightened up their selection process and advertising tougher statements of work. Watson & Associates, LLC attorneys and consultants have vast experience in government Requests for Proposals (RFP), reading and interpreting solicitations, Sources Sought and Requests for Quotes. Our Colorado office is home to many large and small federal contractors that need to increase their probabilities of award.
We are former government contracting officials that have participated in source selections and awarded federal projects. We are consultants to some of the largest DOD contractors across the country and will help to develop a simple-to-read and compelling RFP response.
The scope of our proposal writing and consulting services include:
- RFP Review & Analysis
- Proposal Writing & Editing
- Proposal Management
- Request for Proposals Critique & Evaluation
- Government Contracting Solicitations including GSA
- Subcontracting Plans
- Teaming and Joint Venture Proposals
- RFP Quality Assurance Plan
- Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASP)
- Request for Information (RFI)
- Sources sought Proposals
- Requests for Quotes (RFQ)
Value in Our RFP & Proposal Services Include:
- Flat Rates
- Free Initial Consultation
- Critiquing government proposals with the eyes of the agency
- Effective Advice on Teaming & Joint Ventures under FAR 9.6
- Meeting Short Deadlines
- Writing government solicitation and proposal responses with an eye towards possible bid protests
- Knowing the difference between performance based statements of work (SOW) and other PWS
Do you have to have what it takes for the government to even consider your RFP response? Simply put, the federal government advertises solicitations and bid opportunities because it has a problem that it wants someone to solve. Your government contract proposal preparation expertise is the only factor that can convince the agency that your company can solve its problem. At Watson, our consultants help you to accomplish this objective by:
- Teaming with your key personnel to develop a simple-to-read and concise response to the Request for Proposals.
- Reviewing government proposals to ensure that you don’t miss critical information in the RFP.
- Critiquing your government proposals
Understanding the procurement regulations puts us ahead of the competition. One of the biggest mistakes that bidders make in request for proposals is to engage in government contract proposal writing without knowing the ‘rules of engagement.’ For example, contract clauses are incorporated by reference; representations and certifications (ORCA) must be current (or you run the risk your proposal being thrown out for non-compliance); DUNS information should reflect current information (fertile ground to support your competitor’s bid protest).
We help you to avoid common pitfalls in proposal writing. Many contractors won contracts by simply parroting the exact language in the solicitation. However, agencies are now savvy to this strategy and quickly dismiss such government RFP responses as being outside the competitive range (group not to be considered in the finalists). Other mistakes include:
- Writing fluff about how good your company is. Everyone will say this. The question is “how can you solve the agency’s problem?”
- Failing to include specific information pertaining to the stated rating factors. This is a common mistake when responding to request for proposals. Rating factors are your bread and butter of the proposal. Our RFP consultants ensure that your information goes over and beyond the basic requirements
Learn how to overcome shortfalls in past performance and experience. A heavily weighted factor in government proposals is your technical response. The government wants to know who it is awarding the contract to; what has your company done, and how well have you done it. Oftentimes, businesses lack the experience required to get a high rating. Our government RFP consultants understand that teaming agreements and joint ventures play a crucial role in this part of your government proposal. Subcontractors with vast experience can also ‘save the day.’
We offer government proposal and RFP services to businesses regardless of state. When addressing federal contract law matters, Watson’s government proposals consultants to handle virtually federal RFPs regardless of state. Including Colorado; Wyoming; Washington State; California; Maryland; New Mexico; Kansas and Nebraska; New York; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago, Illinois; Michigan; Pennsylvania; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Arkansas; Colorado Springs; Utah; Oklahoma; Ohio; Maine; Florida; Texas; Nevada; Maryland; Louisiana; Las Vegas; Georgia; Hawaii; Alaska; Washington, D.C.; West Virginia; Florida; Indiana; Washington State; Mississippi; California, Tennessee; Tampa; Miami; Virgin Islands; Rhode Island; Vermont; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Missouri; Virginia; Delaware; Connecticut; Arizona; New Hampshire; Massachusetts and Montana.
Our expertise in federal small business programs helps both large and small businesses during the bidding process. One of the more focused areas of our government contracting practice is the Small Business Program. Consultants at Watson & Associates LLC understand the Congress’ Intent as set forth in the Small Business Act. Solicitations generally allow for subcontracting plans and teaming arrangements. We have the skill and expertise to help you. Our expertise extends to:
- GSA Schedules
- SBA 8a Program
- HUBZone
- Small Disadvantaged Businesses
- Veteran- Owned Small Businesses
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
- Native American 8a Businesses
Other Federal Contracting Services. In addition to consulting in RFP proposal and request for proposals, Watson & Associates is comprised of federal procurement attorneys that can advise and represent you in:
- Contract management
- Legal consulting
- Counseling
- Federal Contracts
- Federal Procurement Counsel
- Bid protests
- Terminations
Additional Tips for Proposal Writing. The following are helpful suggestions for government contract proposal writers that want to take the chance on their own:
- Never fluff your proposal with highlights about “how great you are.” Although this is the end result, agencies want to see the “proof in the pudding.”
- Always follow the proposal format. The government likes RFP responses that are written in an easy-to-follow format. Follow theirs.
- Provide adequate risk mitigation and management information. The federal government simply will not award a bid to a risky company. Tell them about your management staff and key personnel.
- Ensure that you retain proposal writing services from someone who knows the rules. Source selection teams can tell a ‘novice contractor’ when they see a proposal that offers something that the rules do not allow.
- Read the RFP/ Solicitation from beginning to end. As former government contracting RFP writers, we can tell you that the government contracting agency sets a few ‘traps’ to weed bidders out. Having an experienced Request for Proposal writer can avoid common land mines.
- Provide clear explanations. Never assume that the agency knows how you will solve its problem It is up to you to tell them
Contact us for cost-effective proposal and government RFP writing services today. For prompt response, contact us online or call our office at 720.941.7200.
Staff Members Theodore Watson Peter B. Ford Lorraine Stark
Online resources:
CCR Small Business Administration Office of Federal Procurement Policy Office of Federal Compliance Programs Our consulting services Department of Agriculture Resources for Small Businesses Armed Services Board of Appeals GAO U.S. Supreme Court Contact a Government RFP Writer today
