How Long Will It Take?

I've got an RFP from the government and I need someone to prepare a proposal. Can you help? How long will it take?

I can usually answer the first question pretty easily. The answer is either yes, no or maybe, depending on my schedule and perhaps some other factors. It's the second question that usually throws me for a loop because there is no "one fits all" answer.

Every government RFP/RFA is different. The government agencies that issue the RFPs are different, and they have different needs and requirements. Scopes-of-work in most RFPs are different. The proposal requirements for each RFP are different. Additionally, each company/organization desiring to prepare a proposal in response to an RFP/RFA is different. They have few or many staff available to help with writing a proposal. They have or have not done proposals before. They do or do not have a clear understanding of the RFP and proposal requirements. In short, the "how long will it take" question is nearly impossible to answer without more specific information about both the RFP and the company/organization.

So in addition to wanting to take a look at the RFP/RFA, here are a few of the questions that I ask these prospective clients:

• Are you currently a Government contractor?


• Do you have experience in doing the type of work called for in the RFP/RFA?


• Have you prepared and submitted Government proposals in the past?
  If so, were they successful? If not, why not?


• Has the RFP been released yet? If not, when is it expected?


• Is the RFP available on the web?


• What is the due date for the proposal?


• Have you read the entire RFP, including the scope-of-work, instructions, and evaluation criteria?


• Do you think you have a good understanding of the RFP and what is or will be required?


• Do you have any written materials available about your organization and/or your products or services?


• Do you have copies of your previous proposals, if any?


• If needed, do you have complete resumes for the key staff that you plan to propose for this project?


• Do you have anyone on staff who would be available to assist in the preparation of the technical proposal?


• Do you have anyone on staff who would be available to assist with the business/cost proposal?