One of my regular clients is expecting an RFP in the very near future. They're not sure exactly when it will be released, but they're not wasting any time in getting ready for it. By starting early, they will be a step ahead when the solicitation arrives.
There are a number of things that you can do when you know you are going to bid on a project but haven't yet received your RFP/RFA. What are they? Well, you can:
- Revise or prepare your Capabilities Statement and/or Past Performance References. Since you'll hopefully have a good idea of what the new project is going to address, you can begin writing or tailoring these documents to reflect your experience with similar projects.
- Begin recruiting staff for the new project if you think you're going to need them. Write up and place your advertisements, do some networking, and collect resumes. You don't have to make any commitments at this stage, but you'll be ahead of the game when you get your RFP/RFA.
- Tailor and format, if necessary, resumes of personnel who you know you're going to propose for the project. See my post on The Importance of Resumes for more information on this subject.
- Begin writing up your Management Plan and prepare a preliminary project organization chart.
- Conduct some preliminary brainstorming sessions.
- Gather background materials that may be useful in updating your knowledge and information on the project and preparing your proposal.
- Begin gathering costing information.
Sure, there's a chance that you'll have to redo some of the above when you get your RFP/RFA, but you'll still come out ahead while your competitors are scrambling.
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