In the world of government contracts, winning a bid isn’t just about having the right product or service — it’s about mastering the intricate art of proposal management. But what exactly is proposal management, and why is it so critical? It’s the methodical process of crafting a detailed response to a government solicitation—transforming your company’s capabilities into a compelling bid. In a field where you’re not just competing against other businesses, but also navigating strict rules and timelines, getting this process right is key to success. This is necessary as companies are competing against one another in a quasi-competition for the bidding process.
Your company has identified the need for help with proposal management services to bid on a recently release Request for Proposal. You’ve contacted JetCo Solutions, but what’s next?
When you work with JetCo Solutions, we start by designating a dedicated proposal manager (PM) to your project. The PM is responsible for leading the proposal’s development and reviews the entire solicitation, extracts key requirements, and organizes a clear, structured outline. This outline is a snapshot of the solicitation that guides the entire process.
Once the outline is created, your proposal manager coordinates with all relevant parties from your company such as SME’s to conduct a kickoff call. During this kickoff, tasks with deadlines are assigned such as developing pricing, exploring subcontracting opportunities, and gathering necessary documents like resumes or company certifications
The PM monitors deadlines and works to answer any questions from the team. Once all the input from assigned tasks is collected, your proposal manager drafts the bid. This may involve writing detailed responses based on discussions with subject matter experts and key personnel or simply compiling completed forms and company documentation. This process will vary depending on the solicitation’s requirements and complexity.
Throughout this process, the proposal undergoes multiple reviews to ensure compliance with proposal requirements. These are referred to Color Reviews, and can include Red Review, Gold Review, and more. During the review period, any gaps are identified and addressed, content is refined, forms are signed, and pricing is finalized. Once the proposal is polished and thoroughly checked, it is officially submitted to the government for consideration either by JetCo or the client. JetCo guides on the submission as each has varied rules, timelines, and methods—and we’ve worked with them all.
Proposal management is a complex, time-intensive process that requires a dedicated professional to ensure everything is completed accurately and on time. If your company needs expert assistance with proposal management, our team is ready to help. Contact us today to discuss how we can elevate your proposal management efforts!
About the Author
The JetCo Solutions Team
The JetCo Solutions team is determined. We only win if you win, and we want you to succeed at every step of the government contracting process. View our team.
