When you're creating the headings and subheadings in your proposal outline (which you will subsequently use in the actual proposal), you need to make sure that you use the same words and terminology that are contained in the RFP/RFA. Why? So that the reviewers can quickly see that you have addressed all of the elements in the scope-of-work, instructions to offerors, and the proposal evaluation criteria.
You may think that you need to paraphrase your headings and subheadings so that it doesn't appear that you are copying them from the RFP/RFA. But you don't. It is perfectly OK to develop them using the exact same wording that the government used. Here's an example:
What the RFP says:
Describe your approach to providing the required resources. What is the typical amount of time required to fill a request for a resource? Do you have a local office? Describe your flexibility in beginning and ending tasks. How much advance notification is required to begin or end a new task?
What the outline looks like:
4.8 Approach to Providing Required Resources
4.8.1 Amount of Time Required to Fill Resource Requests
4.8.2 Local and Other Offices
4.8.3 Flexibility in Beginning and Ending Tasks
4.8.4 Advance Notification Requirements to Begin or End New Tasks
See what I mean?
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