Proposal Writing for U.S. Government Contracts

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Proposal Planning and Writing for RFPs” is a 51-page (8.5” x 11”) comprehensive volume describing in over 10,000 words every aspect of responding to a government RFP (Request For Proposal).

This e-book even covers the questions that need to be asked to decide whether an RFP is the correct one, way before the prosal writers type the first word on their keyboards.

Government proposal writing is a fast-changing field and thus RFP how-to guides need to be updated on a regular basis. This edition includes the latest developments and references in the field.

Proposal Planning and Writing for RFPs” is researched, developed and written over a 6 month period with the following two groups of audiences in mind:

1) BUSINESS and TECHNICAL WRITERS assigned to write a proposal in response to an RFP. There is plenty in here to guide a writer from start to finish, including a detailed description of every component that a good proposal needs to have.

2) PROJECT MANAGERS whose jobs are much harder since not only they need to hire and direct the RFP writers, but they also must first evaluate if the RFP is actually the right one. If that research yields a positive result, then they need to shoulder the even more ardous task of putting together an RFP project team and driving the delicate process to its very end. This ebook also has chapters exclusively written for such project managers.

Main Chapters

The main chapters are:
1) Introduction and Terminology
2) Six Set-Aside Programs (for small businesses)
3) Subcontracting facts
4) GSA Schedules
5) Focus on Selected Agencies and Resources
6) First Things First – the things you need to do to start the process
7) Questions to ask BEFORE you start to write your proposal
8) Questions to ask BEFORE you start to send out your proposal
9) Parts of the proposal
10) 5W + H Reality Check
11) Watch Out for the “Fishing Expeditions”
12) Step-by-Step Reply Process for RFP Managers
13) RESOURCES: U.S. Federal Procurement Web Sites (69 web sites)
14) RESOURCES: U.S. State & Local Procurement Web Sites (71 web sites)
15) GLOSSARY

Chapter 13 is a unique chapter: it describes a step-by-step development process for the proposal management team, starting with the assignment of responsibilities and selection of work teams all the way to writing the final draft and bringing the project to a successful conclusion.

The updated and alphabetized list of 140 federal and state procurement web sites in the resource chapters alone is worth the modest price of this comprehensive guide.

Those two chapters alone can save you untold hours of searching for the appropriate resources. Knowing where those web sites are important to find the right RFP or project bid. Now you have them all under your finger tips in two convenient lists.

Proposal Planning and Writing for RFPs” is recommended for all business teams, project managers, business and technical writers, and all those who would like to get their share from the annual $500 billion U.S. federal procurement pie.