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Government Proposal Writing Tips
8 Keys to Writing a Winning Government Proposal
You are finally ready to win some government business. Maybe you have already bid on a few projects, or maybe you have only dreamed of it. Either way, government opportunities are a great way to expand your business into new territory. Unfortunately, many businesses lose their opportunity to a lesser-qualified competitor because they have not followed a few simple guidelines in writing their proposals. Whether you are bidding on local, state, or federal business, here are eight keys to writing a winning proposal: Document procedures in advance. Thinking about bidding on government business? Most proposals will require you to provide documentation on your standard operating procedures. Many of those key procedures-such as quality control and safety-can be documented in advance. Then, when your dream project shows up, you spend less time documenting your procedures and more time pricing your product competitively. Keep it plain and simple. Your reader for the proposal will be the contracting officer in charge of the bidding process, and he or she does not want highfalutin' words and extraneous details. You can even be penalized for providing excess information. Read the "Statement of Work" carefully and respond to each point with the appropriate detail-and nothing more. Organize the information logically. If your proposal is logically organized and easy to read, then it has a better chance to stand out from the crowd. While some solicitations specify how your proposal should be organized-right down to the acceptable number of lines per page-there is always room to make yours shine. Labeled tabs, separator pages, and a table of contents are just a few ideas. Ask questions. If some aspect of the solicitation is unclear, ask the contracting officer for more information. You will probably be required to submit your question in writing, but it's worth it-the best questions generate a deadline extension. Be sure to ask an open-ended question, rather than a simple "yes/no" question. Register for updates. A government proposal usually goes through several revisions, with new amendments and changed deadlines. Keep from missing important deadlines by registering online to receive all amendments at the solicitation website. Submit it exactly how they ask for it. Incorrect submission will ruin all of your chances of winning the proposal. The solicitation should summarize all forms that must be completed and signed; required supporting documentation; and number of copies to submit. Some proposals even require you to use 30% post-consumer recycled paper. Make a copy for yourself. You'll want to have a paper copy of your proposal on hand in case the government calls you with questions. While you can save it electronically, nothing substitutes for having an exact copy of the document that the contracting officer is looking at on his or her end of the phone. Don't be tardy. After you've written the perfect proposal, the last thing you want to do is be eliminated for consideration because the package was misplaced. Plan for the unexpected-whether that is weather, engine trouble, or a black hole in the receiving department. Submit your proposal one or two days early, and request a signature with delivery. By following these simple guidelines, you'll rest easy knowing that you've assembled and delivered the best proposal possible.
© 2005 Peters Writing Services, Inc.
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